Abstract
Climate litigation in Mexico is a powerful, growing legal strategy led by civil society and youth movements to enforce climate obligations and protect human rights. Mexico is a regional leader in such cases, often utilizing the Constitutional Remedy (amparo) to challenge inadequate government climate action, as required by the Paris Agreement and domestic law. A central theme is the defense of the energy transition. For example, civil society successfully filed amparos against the 2021 Electricity Law Reform, arguing that its prioritization of fossil fuel plants over renewables violated the constitutional right to a healthy environment and hindered climate goals. Furthermore, litigation has served as a direct call for governmental accountability. The landmark case “Jóvenes y ONG vs. Gobierno de México” sought to legally compel the state to fulfill the regulations stipulated in the General Law on Climate Change. This case strategically emphasizes Intergenerational Justice by forcing a judicial debate on the state’s duty to protect the climate for future generations. Despite ongoing legal challenges, particularly concerning standing and scientific proof, these lawsuits are instrumental. They generate crucial public debate, pressure the government to increase its climate ambition, and establish legal precedents that solidify climate governance as a matter of fundamental rights.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Technical, Political, and Social Responses
KEYWORDS
Climate Litigation, Civil Society, Climate Justice, Intergenerational Justice
