The Consequences of Legal Challenges for Oil and Gas Industry: Global Trends in Climate Change Litigation and Management
Summary: 1. Introduction – 2. The Oil and Gas Industry’s Contribution to Greenhouse Gas Emissions. – 2.1 Scope of Emissions: Statistics and Data. – 2.2 Environmental Impacts: Global and Local Effects. – 3. Legal Challenges and Impact on the Industry: Disclosure, Regulation, and Transition to Sustainable Practices. – 4. Global Trends in Climate Change Litigation: Examples and Statistics. – 4.1. Common Climate Change Litigation Examples. – 4.2. Statistics Regarding Climate Change Lawsuits. – 5. Climate Change Opportunities. – 6. Conclusions.
Methods: A thorough examination was carried out using a multi-faceted strategy that took into account legal, environmental, economic, and social aspects. The study encompassed an exhaustive assessment of both domestic and international laws and regulations relevant to climate change and the oil and gas sector. Moreover, various secondary sources concerning emission standards governing bodies, carbon pricing mechanisms, as well as other climate- related policies impacting the industry were also taken into consideration. Furthermore, pertinent case law records and dispute resolution systems were examined to evaluate the efficacy of existing legal frameworks.
Results and conclusion: It has been noted that there has been a notable escalation in the number of legal disputes regarding climate change worldwide in recent times. These legal actions are intended to determine corporate accountability and encourage the implementation of ecologically sustainable sources of energy. The petroleum and natural gas industry is a significant contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases, which causes detrimental ecological effects both locally and globally. The key cause of climate change is the release of greenhouse gases, and it is crucial for this sector to limit these emissions if it is to effectively tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
Abstract
Background: Globally, there is mounting concern regarding climate change, which scientific consensus confirms through the undeniable rise in global temperatures. The blame for this unwavering trend can be attributed to anthropogenic activities, specifically non-renewable resource combustion like oil and gas usage. Consequently, there is an urgent need to curb greenhouse gas emissions and make the transition towards more eco-friendly energy sources. In recent years, the oil and gas sector has come under scrutiny and faced numerous legal challenges due to its role in perpetuating greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change litigation has emerged as an effective instrument for enforcing corporate accountability and promoting the adoption of sustainable energy alternatives.
Methods: A thorough examination was carried out using a multi-faceted strategy that took into account legal, environmental, economic, and social aspects. The study encompassed an exhaustive assessment of both domestic and international laws and regulations relevant to climate change and the oil and gas sector. Moreover, various secondary sources concerning emission standards governing bodies, carbon pricing mechanisms, as well as other climate- related policies impacting the industry were also taken into consideration. Furthermore, pertinent case law records and dispute resolution systems were examined to evaluate the efficacy of existing legal frameworks.
Results and conclusion: It has been noted that there has been a notable escalation in the number of legal disputes regarding climate change worldwide in recent times. These legal actions are intended to determine corporate accountability and encourage the implementation of ecologically sustainable sources of energy. The petroleum and natural gas industry is a significant contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases, which causes detrimental ecological effects both locally and globally. The key cause of climate change is the release of greenhouse gases, and it is crucial for this sector to limit these emissions if it is to effectively tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
About Authors
Shahad Ahmed Al-Nasser
Legal Researcher, Prince Sultan University, College of Law, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Shahadalnasser@hotmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0798-0247
Corresponding author, responsible for writing and researching. Competing interests: Any competing interests were included. Disclaimer: The author declares that her opinion and views expressed in this manuscript are free of any impact of any organizations.
Managing editor – Mag Polina Siedova. English Editor – Dr. Sarah White.
Guest Editors of the Special Issue: Dr Mohammed Albakjaji, Prince Sultan University, and Dr Maya Khater, Al Yamamah University, Saudi Arabia.
Copyright: © 2023 Shahad Ahmed Al-Nasser. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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Шахад Ахмед Аль-Насер
АНОТАЦІЯ
Передумови. У всьому світі зростає занепокоєння щодо зміни клімату, що
науковий консенсус підтверджує як беззаперечне підвищення глобальної
температури. Провину за цю стійку тенденцію можна покласти на
антропогенну діяльність, зокрема на спалювання таких невідновлюваних
ресурсів, як нафта і газ. Отже, існує нагальна потреба в обмеженні викидів
парникових газів і здійсненні переходу до більш екологічних джерел енергії.
За останні роки нафтогазовий сектор зазнав пильної уваги та зіткнувся з
численними юридичними проблемами через свою роль у збільшенні викидів
парникових газів. Судові процеси, пов’язані зі зміною клімату, стали
ефективним інструментом для забезпечення корпоративної відповідальності
та сприяння впровадженню альтернативних джерел енергії.
Методи. Проведено ретельне дослідження із застосуванням багатогранної
стратегії, яка враховувала правові, екологічні, економічні та соціальні
аспекти. Дослідження охопило вичерпне оцінювання як національних, так і
міжнародних законів і нормативних актів, що стосуються зміни клімату та
нафтогазового сектору. Також було взято до уваги різноманітні вторинні
джерела, що стосуються органів, які регулюють стандарти викидів,
механізмів ціноутворення на вуглецеві квоти, а також інших кліматичних
політик, що впливають на галузь. Крім того, було вивчено відповідну судову
практику та системи вирішення спорів, щоб оцінити ефективність чинної
правової бази.
Результати та висновок. Зазначено, що останнім часом у світі
спостерігається помітне зростання кількості судових спорів щодо зміни
клімату. Ці правові дії спрямовані на визначення корпоративної
відповідальності та стимулювання впровадження екологічно стійких джерел
енергії. Нафтогазова промисловість є значним джерелом викидів парникових
газів, що спричиняє шкідливі екологічні наслідки як на місцевому, так і на
глобальному рівнях. Основною причиною зміни клімату є викид парникових
газів, і для цього сектору вкрай важливо обмежити такі викиди, щоб
ефективно протистояти викликам, пов’язаним зі зміною клімату.
Publication history
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Submitted on 11 Apr 2023 / Revised 1st 27 Apr 2023 / Revised 2nd 30 Apr 2023 / Approved 21 May 2023 / Published online: 31 May 2023 / Last published: 16 Jun 2023
How to cite it?
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S A Al-Nasser ‘The Consequences of Legal Challenges for Oil and Gas Industry: Global Trends in Climate Change Litigation and Management’ 2023 Special Issue Access to Justice in Eastern Europe 163-178. https:// doi.org/10.33327/AJEE-18-6S016
