Climate Change Liability (Hardcover)

`Climate Change Liability provides an illuminating comparative perspective on the role of the courts in this critical area. The book probes a critical yet constructive analysis of theories of tort liability. Beyond tort law, the book insightfully explores alternative forms of litigation, such as actions in the ECHR to remedy inadequate adaptation measures and public law actions to force governments to adopt mitigation measures.' - Daniel Farber, University of California, US `As climate change negotiations slow down despite the growing scientific evidence, there is room for a new approach to the problem - climate liability. This thoroughly researched timely book discusses the different aspects of liability and will hopefully push governments to take action!' - Joyeeta Gupta, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands `Since the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change conference, international efforts to stop global warming are in disarray, making the need for innovative approaches all the more urgent. This book explores the utility of litigation as an alternative to conventional measures in the battle against climate change. While acknowledging the difficulties that attempting to impose liability can pose, it suggests and assesses solutions to meet these challenges, thus paving the way for taking the fight against global warming to the court room.' - Rene Lefeber, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands This book sheds new light on the growing issue of using liability as a tool for both preventing and compensating for the damage caused by climate change. Michael Faure and Marjan Peeters have brought together a selection of expert contributors who explore a variety of both national and European perspectives on the topic. Climate change liability is no longer only a theoretical idea since climate change litigation has become so hotly debated and this book examines to what extent it can be used for mitigation and adaptation issues. Chapters discuss the potential role of liability within various legal systems, like the national systems of the USA and The Netherlands, but also EU and ECHR law. Liability is outlined in a broad perspective since not only compensation for damage suffered by plaintiffs is discussed, but also the need for prevention in order to obtain a reduction of greenhouse gases. This well-documented work will be invaluable to law and environmental science students, researchers, lawyers and civil servants.