SpotlightA learning kit / educational ecosystem

Climate Change on Trial

From landmark court decisions to emerging legal strategies, explore two decades of rights-based climate litigation through a comprehensive learning platform. Start with the free Coursera course, explore in-depth and digestible video explainers, or download the open-access Climate Change on Trial book in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.

Climate Change on Trial: Mobilizing Human Rights Litigation to Accelerate Climate Action, written by César Rodríguez-Garavito, traces the twenty-year rise of rights-based climate litigation worldwide. Based on original research, interviews, and data from the CLX Case Database, this open-access book offers the first comprehensive analysis of how human rights law is being mobilized to address the climate emergency – from local courts to the International Court of Justice.

But understanding this legal revolution requires more than reading about it. That’s why the NYU Climate Law Accelerator (CLX) has built a complete educational ecosystem designed to support learning and action at the intersection of human rights and climate change.

Whether you’re a student, educator, litigator, or advocate, these resources are designed to meet you where you are – offering structured courses, visual explainers, strategic tools, and a living database of cases from around the world.

The climate emergency demands legal innovation at planetary scale. While law changes slowly, global warming is accelerating. These tools are designed to help close that gap, equipping the next generation of climate advocates with the knowledge, strategies, and inspiration to advance the field of rights-based climate action.

Highlights

Can I cite or reference this resource in my own work?

Yes. CLX resources are open-access and may be cited with attribution. If you plan to reproduce substantial portions of the text or figures, please reach out to our team first.

Is this resource peer-reviewed?

Reports and working papers go through internal review by CLX researchers and, where noted, external subject-matter experts. Educational materials and commentary are reviewed for accuracy but are not formally peer-reviewed academic publications.

How current is the legal analysis in this resource?

Climate litigation moves quickly, and case law referenced here reflects the state of play at the time of publication. Where a resource is part of an ongoing series or learning kit, later installments may reflect more recent developments.

Can I use this material for teaching or training?

Absolutely — many of our resources, including learning kits and video series, are designed for classroom and clinic use. Non-commercial educational use is encouraged; contact us for permissions on commercial training programs.