6 February 2024
The entry of scientific findings and arguments into international law on climate change is necessary and inevitable. A wealth of scientific evidence is available on the causes, impacts, adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. Such scientific findings are needed not only to better grasp the causes and extent of the problem as well as possible solutions, but also for giving concrete substance to legal norms and concepts.
Knowledge stemming from (climate) science is vital to understand, interpret and apply fundamental legal notions such as causation, risk, precaution, proof, highest possible ambition and significant or irreversible harm. As such, (climate) science can play a key role in giving concrete content to international obligations and establishing causal links between the (in)action of States contributing to climate change and climate impacts.
The aim of this project is to enhance our understanding of how (climate) science has been used, and can be used, in the development, interpretation and application of international legal rights, obligations and procedures (including litigation) that are relevant to climate change.