New Australian solicitor general warns of rise in climate-related legal actions
By Sean Maguire ( April 20, 2026, 05:52 GMT | Insight) -- Australia's incoming Solicitor General Ruth Higgins has warned of a rise in climate-related legal actions against corporations stemming from an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice last year on states’ responsibility to mitigate climate harms. Higgins and two co-authors wrote a 39-page report that described how the ICJ's opinion could increase the likelihood of more stringent climate regulations in Australia and litigation against emissions-intensive industries. Australia's incoming Solicitor General Ruth Higgins has warned of a rise in climate-related legal actions against corporations, with stricter regulation also more likely, stemming from an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice last year on states’ responsibility to mitigate climate harms. ...
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