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'The kids that demanded accountability': Colombian future generations lawsuit seven years on

'The kids that demanded accountability': Colombian future generations lawsuit seven years on

The end of 2016 was a big moment in Colombian history. A landmark peace deal between the government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) had finally been signed, ending South America’s longest internal armed conflict. It was a moment of real optimism, recalls Gabriela Eslava Bejarano, a lawyer

'Deeply collaborative': African Court asked to give its opinion on climate change

'Deeply collaborative': African Court asked to give its opinion on climate change

The African Court on Human and People’s Rights has been asked for its expert view on climate change, making it the fourth major international court likely to weigh in on the unfolding crisis. Campaigners filed a formal petition for an advisory opinion at the Tanzania-based court on 2 May

Landmark Kenyan ruling puts international carbon offset projects into question

Landmark Kenyan ruling puts international carbon offset projects into question

By Joseph Maina The future of international carbon offset projects in Kenya has been put into question following a legal ruling that upholds community land rights. In a landmark judgment in January, a court ruled in favour of a group of people in the northern Kenyan county of Isiolo who

Statue of people engaged in a tug of war in front of a building

The legal tussle to hold corporate polluters accountable for climate loss and damage

The stage has been set for a series of major battles over whether corporations can be held accountable through the courts for loss and damage from climate change. In recent months, lawsuits aimed at holding the fossil fuel industry and other big polluters to account for the climate crisis have

How judges benefit from Argentina's novel green education law

How judges benefit from Argentina's novel green education law

Yolanda Benjamina Ortiz was an Argentinian chemist born in 1926, who started her professional life working at Shell and then moved into the civil service. Ortiz was made Argentina’s first environment secretary in 1973 by Juan Perón, following his exile in Spain. She believed in the inextricable connection between

This lex is on fire

This lex is on fire

It was early morning when I first arrived at the Peace Palace as it sat quietly in the darkness and drizzle. Waiting for security to open, I was drawn to the perpetual flame that has burned continuously inside a stone pillar outside the building since 2002. There is a beautiful

How youth activists are mobilising ahead of a landmark climate hearing

How youth activists are mobilising ahead of a landmark climate hearing

Vepaiamele Trief’s passion for climate justice began when she first learned about climate change in her primary school on the Pacific island of Vanuatu. Although lessons didn’t delve into the scientific details or the negative impacts it would have on society, she and her family have seen major