Article III

Does the Future Have Standing?

Climate change may devastate future generations. Is there a way to get their interests before the courts?

Climate change is not just a long-range problem; it’s one that will get much worse in the future unless major emissions cuts are made.  For instance, sea levels will continue to rise for centuries. But the people who will be harmed by these changes can’t go to court: they haven’t been born yet. How can …

CONTINUE READING

Standing, Settlement, and Mass Torts

BP is trying to use standing law to wiggle out of its own settlement agreement. The courts have been right to say no.

BP entered into a settlement in a massive class action against it arising out of the BP oil spill.  Now it’s trying to get out of part of the settlement while keeping the rest of the deal in place.  BP’s argument involves three areas of confusion in  standing doctrine: how does it apply to class actions, …

CONTINUE READING

Businesses Without Standing

Standing is notoriously a barrier to litigation by environmental groups.  In fact, many of the Supreme Court’s major standing decisions involve environmental claimants.  The conventional wisdom is that standing is no problem for businesses because regulations limit their freedom of action and impose financial costs.  But recent cases suggest that’s an oversimplification.  In fact, it …

CONTINUE READING

Join Our Mailing List

Climate policy is changing rapidly. Stay in the loop with expert analysis via email Monday - Friday.

TRENDING