Justice and climate change, a study on Just Transition Litigation has been published in Nature Sustainability. Riccardo Luporini, research fellow in International Law at Sant'Anna School, is among the authors

Riccardo Luporini, a postdoctoral researcher in International Law at the DIRPOLIS Institute of the Sant'Anna School, has contributed to a groundbreaking study published in Nature Sustainability, co-authored by experts from 16 leading institutions. As the global push towards low-carbon futures gains momentum, the study reveals a surge in legal challenges associated with climate policies and projects. This trend, described as ‘just transition litigation’, underscores the critical importance of balancing climate action with social justice, ensuring that the voices of vulnerable communities are heard and protected from disproportionate impacts.

The phenomenon of just transition litigation is little understood and underexplored. While in recent years much attention has been given to strategic litigation aimed at advancing decarbonisation (such as cases against companies or governments failing to reduce emissions), this study shifts the focus to lawsuits that challenge the fairness of climate policies and projects. Central to these legal disputes are issues such as the fair distribution of benefits and burdens from climate policies, the inclusiveness of decision-making processes, and the respect for the rights, identities, and cultures of marginalised communities.

The paper, coordinated by Professor Annalisa Savaresi (University of Eastern Finland), introduces a new framework for understanding the justice claims of those affected by climate action. This framework can serve as a tool for mapping risks and preventing this type of conflict. Currently, a significant knowledge gap exists due to a lack of systematic data collection on these legal disputes. The authors call for expanded efforts in tracking these cases and analysing their impacts on law, governance, and society.