About Session

Since its earliest days, the second Trump administration has rolled back foundational climate policies, defunded federal research, targeted scientists, and attempted to suppress lawsuits and legislation seeking to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for climate damages. Emboldened by these attacks, some companies are dialing back their climate commitments and withdrawing from climate-focused coalitions. The Union of Concerned Scientists’ recent report Decades of Deceit details the ways in which oil and gas companies are still obstructing climate policy, potentially exposing their shareholders, financiers, business partners, and trade associations to increased litigation risks for enabling deception. Recent rulings by international courts have affirmed the human right to a stable climate and governments’ legal obligation to address climate change, making climate inaction a violation of international law. This session will review these developments and suggest ways investors can engage companies across key sectors on climate inaction and litigation risk.
What attendees will gain:
• Facts and persuasive arguments shareholders can use to help companies understand their climate litigation risk and how they can decrease it
• Understanding of the key role of attribution science in future determinations of corporations’ legal responsibility for climate change
• Guidance on how advisory opinions issued by the International Court of Justice and Inter-American Court may shape and inform litigation in the US and other countries.