The fourth edition of the United Nations Global Climate Litigation Report is now available.
A few takeaways:
- 1986 – The first climate case
- 2017 – 884 cases were filed across the world
- 2020 – 1550 cases were filed across the world
- 2022 – 2180 cases were filed across the world
- 2025 – 3099 cases were filed across the world
- 64% of the 2025 cases are in the US
- 55 global jurisdictions in 2025
- 70% historical success rate for claimants
Comments:
- If you continue to hold to the belief that consumers do not care if your company is sustainable, why are companies making environmental/sustainable claims at all?
- Given that approximately 70% of CEOs admit their company is greenwashing, the 70% success rate for claimants, and the case law this is creating, don’t expect the number of cases to go down.
- The Activist playbook has changed. In the early years of climate lawsuits, activists only targeted the big guys. But lawsuits cost money. The 70% claimant success rate has attracted investors willing to fund cases. But to get that money, an activist needs a resume that shows a success rate. Big companies have deep pockets for defense. Small companies do not have deep pockets, are usually sloppier with their false claims, are thus easier to beat, and allow the activist to pad their resume.
Story:
- Tagging onto the above comment, we know a lady who sells multi-level-marketing vitamins. She approached us via social media. The manufacturer she works for claims it is a green company, but it does not have a certification to back it up. It is greenwashing. The lady has the typical MLM website, where she has her name attached to the bigger brand. She is happily claiming she is a green company. She has no idea she is greenwashing. An activist contacted us, as they know what we do and saw the social media link with this lady. They have targeted her because she is easier to beat than the manufacturer. She is in the crosshairs and does not know it.
Recommendation:
- If you are making any kind of green, environmental, eco, sustainability claims and are not certified via a globally respected program and 3rd party verified on same, do yourself a favor and stop. You might be in the crosshairs right now and do not know it.
If you are making claims and are not certified/verified, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.
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