Several victories for environmental activists in various national courts have drawn global attention to litigation as a tool to compel national governments and specific companies to account for carbon emissions and address climate issues more seriously (and concretely). As an increasing number of activists seek ways and means to bring similar cases to court, a rise in climate-related litigation is being observed.

The court ruling that compelled the Netherlands, Germany, and the oil company Shell to strengthen their climate policies is one of the best-known results of such litigation. This and similar decisions are, so to speak, travelling around the world, both demonstrating and indicating a potential course of action for others on how to force policymakers and government representatives to take active steps on climate issues through the courts.