Legal and state efforts to address climate obstruction
, Franta, B., Johl, A., Benjamin, L., Yadin, S., Buzbee, W. W. & Kovalovich, A.
(2025).
Legal and state efforts to address climate obstruction.
In
Roberts, J. T., Milani, C. R. S., Jacquet, J. & Downie, C.
(Eds.),
Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment
(pp. 332-363).
Oxford University Press.
https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197787144.003.0012
In recent decades, legal and governmental efforts to counteract climate disinformation and obstruction have grown. This chapter summarizes these efforts, including regulation, litigation, and government-led investigations. It discusses specific regulatory tools and how, though they can address obstruction of climate action, obstruction itself can create obstacles to their passage and enforcement. It describes litigation brought to hold corporations—particularly fossil fuel companies—directly responsible for the climate harm their products caused to communities and individuals, as well as detailing government-led investigations of the carbon majors. The chapter also discusses efforts to use the law to impede climate action, including suits against scientists and protestors along with actions against environmental reforms in the financial industry. Its findings suggest that legal and state efforts to address climate obstruction have already made a significant impact and are likely to become an important component of climate action globally.