Climate Litigation for a More Just and Resilient Region.
This website provides information on the main climate litigation cases in Latin America and the Caribbean, including closed cases and those still active. We offer categories, search tools, and filters to help you easily access the information.
This is a collaborative project led by the Inter-American Association for the Defense of the Environment (AIDA) with the support of several Latin American organizations working for climate justice in the region.
This database was created between 2019 and 2021 and is updated periodically. It currently includes more than 100 cases in 13 countries.
This website provides information on the main climate litigation cases in Latin America and the Caribbean, including closed cases and those still active. We offer categories, search tools, and filters to help you easily access the information.
This is a collaborative project led by the Inter-American Association for the Defense of the Environment (AIDA) with the support of several Latin American organizations working for climate justice in the region.
This database was created between 2019 and 2021 and is updated periodically. It currently includes more than 100 cases in 13 countries.
Methodology
Based on a broad understanding of the concept of climate litigation, we included all litigation cases filed with any jurisdictional authority (judicial, administrative, international, or autonomous)—whether ongoing or concluded—that include arguments regarding the legal obligations of States and other actors in relation to climate change, whether as primary or secondary claims. Additionally, cases were included that, while not directly addressing climate change, contribute to the pursuit of climate justice.
For each case, a fact sheet was created containing the following elements: case location, procedural status, case initiation date, and date of the judgment or existing decisions; a summary of the case; elements of climate change relevant to the case; parties to the litigation (plaintiffs and defendants); organizations supporting the case; the territorial context of the dispute and of the affected individuals or communities; the laws and principles invoked; and relevant links. Some cases include information on the implementation of the ruling.
For each case file, we contacted the person(s) or organization(s) responsible for the litigation to inform them of the possibility of uploading the case to the Platform and to request their approval. These individuals are asked to review the information in the case file and update it as necessary. Additionally, they have the opportunity to exclude information from all or part of the case.
Case profiles for which it was not possible to contact the responsible individuals or organizations include a disclaimer specifying that the profile was compiled based on publicly available information. The Platform features a contact button so that any individual or organization can reach out to the site administrators and provide comments or suggestions.
Based on a broad understanding of the concept of climate litigation, we included all litigation cases filed with any jurisdictional authority (judicial, administrative, international, or autonomous)—whether ongoing or concluded—that include arguments regarding the legal obligations of States and other actors in relation to climate change, whether as primary or secondary claims. Additionally, cases were included that, while not directly addressing climate change, contribute to the pursuit of climate justice.
For each case, a fact sheet was created containing the following elements: case location, procedural status, case initiation date, and date of the judgment or existing decisions; a summary of the case; elements of climate change relevant to the case; parties to the litigation (plaintiffs and defendants); organizations supporting the case; the territorial context of the dispute and of the affected individuals or communities; the laws and principles invoked; and relevant links. Some cases include information on the implementation of the ruling.
For each case file, we contacted the person(s) or organization(s) responsible for the litigation to inform them of the possibility of uploading the case to the Platform and to request their approval. These individuals are asked to review the information in the case file and update it as necessary. Additionally, they have the opportunity to exclude information from all or part of the case.
Case profiles for which it was not possible to contact the responsible individuals or organizations include a disclaimer specifying that the profile was compiled based on publicly available information. The Platform features a contact button so that any individual or organization can reach out to the site administrators and provide comments or suggestions.
Data Limitations
Although we attempted to identify as many cases as possible in the region, the database is not exhaustive. Therefore, the fact that no climate litigation has yet been identified in a particular country is not proof that such cases do not exist.
Although we attempted to identify as many cases as possible in the region, the database is not exhaustive. Therefore, the fact that no climate litigation has yet been identified in a particular country is not proof that such cases do not exist.
Contact Us
The Latin American and Caribbean Climate Litigation Platform is a work in progress, so we welcome any suggestions or comments. We also appreciate any information about new cases and updates or corrections to cases already included in the Platform.
You can submit comments related to the Platform, provide information on new cases not yet included in the Platform, or offer updates or corrections to cases already listed.
The Latin American and Caribbean Climate Litigation Platform is a work in progress, so we welcome any suggestions or comments. We also appreciate any information about new cases and updates or corrections to cases already included in the Platform.
You can submit comments related to the Platform, provide information on new cases not yet included in the Platform, or offer updates or corrections to cases already listed.
Who are we?
The Platform was created by the Inter-American Association for the Defense of the Environment (AIDA), a nonprofit organization that uses law and science to protect the environment and communities in Latin America.
The Platform was created by the Inter-American Association for the Defense of the Environment (AIDA), a nonprofit organization that uses law and science to protect the environment and communities in Latin America.
In collaboration with:
In collaboration with:
With the support of:
With the support of:
Partner organizations:
Partner organizations:
