Climate lawyer urges use of existing laws to prosecute fossil fuel companies

An opinion piece argues that prosecutors need not create new legal frameworks to hold oil companies accountable for climate damage, as existing statutes on fraud and public nuisance already provide grounds for enforcement.

First covered Jul 28, 2026 · 7:00 AM PT · 1 article

Climate lawyer urges use of existing laws to prosecute fossil fuel companies — Image via theguardian.com

Coverage

1d Guardian Environment It’s time to prosecute climate crimes – with laws that already exist | Aaron Regunberg — Some have called for Nuremberg-style trials against big oil. But there are laws already on the books to describe companies’ conduct The sky outside is hazy…

More coverage from around the web

scholarlycommons.law.case.edu "Fossil Fuel Fraud" by Wes Henricksen

zerocarbon-analytics.org Big Oil in Court - The latest trends in climate litigation against fossil fuel companies - Zero Carbon Analytics

oag.ca.gov Attorney General Bonta Announces Lawsuit Against Oil and Gas Companies for Misleading Public About Climate Change | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

oag.ca.gov Attorney General Bonta Files Amended Complaint in Lawsuit Against Five of the Largest Fossil Fuel Companies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

scholarlycommons.law.case.edu Fossil Fuel Fraud

Appeared in: 2026-07-29 (#17)

← Back to the brief