What are some examples of lawsuits against companies alleging liability for their contribution to climate change through carbon emissions?
Some examples of lawsuits against companies alleging liability for their contribution to climate change through carbon emissions include the cases of Native Village of Kivalina v. ExxonMobil Corp., City of Imperial Beach v. Chevron Corp., and Juliana v. United States.
Long answer
One notable example is the lawsuit filed by the Native Village of Kivalina against ExxonMobil Corp. and other energy companies in 2008. The village, located in Alaska, claimed that these companies were responsible for emitting significant amounts of greenhouse gases that contributed to global warming, which ultimately caused erosion and flooding, forcing them to relocate at a substantial cost. While the case was eventually dismissed by the courts due to concerns about political questions and jurisdictional issues, it highlighted the potential for holding companies liable for climate change impacts.
Another example is the lawsuit filed by several cities, including San Francisco and Oakland, against major fossil fuel companies such as Chevron, BP, and Shell in City of Imperial Beach v. Chevron Corp. These cities argued that these companies knowingly produced and marketed products that emitted greenhouse gases leading to sea-level rise, infringing on public trust resources such as beaches and coastal properties. The case sought monetary damages for past and future costs associated with adapting to rising seas.
Furthermore, in Juliana v. United States, a group of young people sued the federal government alleging that it violated their constitutional rights by promoting a fossil fuel-based energy system that contributed to climate change while being aware of its dangers. This case gained attention due to the youth plaintiffs’ assertions that they would face lifelong impacts from climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
These examples illustrate ongoing efforts by stakeholders seeking legal remedies against corporations or governments they believe have contributed significantly to climate change through their carbon emissions. While specific claims differ across cases concerning alleged environmental harms or constitutional violations related to climate change impacts, these lawsuits represent some notable attempts at attributing liability for carbon emissions impacting the environment and individuals.