Eu Climate Change Litigation

Climate change litigation is on the rise worldwide, yet the EU Courts' role in this area has been less explored. This book dives deep into climate change cases brought before the General Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union, focusing on the legal hurdles faced by private parties.

An in-depth look at the EU standing test and its impact on climate change litigation.

This book offers a detailed analysis of the standing requirements private individuals and entities must meet to initiate direct annulment actions before the EU Courts under Article 263 TFEU, fourth paragraph-commonly known as the EU standing test.

It thoroughly investigates how this standing test has been interpreted and applied in the context of EU climate change cases, exploring the underlying principles that shape it. The author examines whether climate change and the private rights it affects are recognized as valid grounds for standing or if there is a disconnect between the test and climate litigation needs.

Building on this, the book discusses the broader consequences for the EU Courts' role and EU climate legislation. It also considers how climate change litigation is influencing the evolution of the EU standing test itself.

Geared towards academics and legal professionals interested in the challenges climate change litigants face under the EU standing test, this work is a lightly revised edition of Sine Rosvig Sørensen’s PhD thesis. Sørensen holds both a master’s degree and a PhD in law from Aarhus University.