Climate Change Snapshot
1 April 2026
The Law Council has recently published its Climate Change Snapshot, to provide an update on significant domestic and international legal developments since the Climate Change Policy was adopted in 2021.
Climate change law is now embedded in Australia’s legal landscape. Legislated emissions targets, mandatory climate related financial disclosures and ongoing environmental law reform are reshaping government decision making, corporate risk management and regulatory oversight. While courts have been cautious in recognising novel duties of care domestically, recent cases have clarified disclosure expectations and greenwashing standards, with transition risk and misrepresentation claims likely to grow.
Internationally, it is clear that there are binding legal obligations across a range of areas of law concerning climate change. Advisory opinions from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the International Court of Justice have confirmed that States have duties under international law to prevent, mitigate and adapt to climate change, extending beyond voluntary commitments under the Paris Agreement. These developments elevate climate targets as justiciable legal standards and strengthen pathways for international accountability.
Together, these domestic and international developments are increasing legal complexity and demand. Climate change is driving new forms of litigation and placing greater pressure on access to justice—particularly as communities confront the compounding legal impacts of climate related disasters and economic transition.
The Law Council thanks its Climate Change Working Group, Australian Environment and Planning Law Group and other advisory committees for their valuable input which informed this paper.
Last Updated on 31/03/2026
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