Green Regulation Through Climate Litigation: Empirical Evidence

Abstract

The present study aims to explore the relationship between climate litigation and regulatory action. To this end, a panel dataset covering 64 countries over the period 1990–2023 has been constructed. The analysis considers two dimensions of environmental regulation: de facto policy implementation and de jure enforcement. The findings reveal a positive correlation between climate litigation and de jure regulation, but not with de facto implementation. This suggests that legal action may stimulate increased legislative activity; however, it does not necessarily translate into effective enforcement or tangible policy outcomes.