Climate change, coming soon to a court near you: International climate change legal frameworks

This report forms part of a series of reports on climate law and policy for judges in Asia and the Pacific which seeks to (i) share environmental and climate jurisprudence from Asia and the Pacific, contributing to global knowledge on regional climate law and litigation; (ii) provide a comprehensive benchbook and tool kit for judges, especially those from Asia and the Pacific, to facilitate decision-making in this ever-evolving field of law; (iii) capture the results of ADB’s judicial capacity development work—the legacy of ADB’s work to date; and finally, (iv) acknowledge the prodigious work done by the judiciaries of Asia and the Pacific—ADB applauds their dedication and progress.

This report (Report Four) presents an overview with a regional perspective of the international legal framework governing climate change law and policy. National courts use international concepts and instruments in their judgments. The report seeks to build the capacity of judges in Asia and the Pacific to effectively reference relevant treaties and principles when adjudicating climate change cases. It covers 31 countries in Asia and the Pacific.