Our client is the Earth: the natural world and all who depend on it.
“Approving this new gas capacity risks either throwing the UK’s decarbonisation off course or locking in redundant infrastructure resulting in significant environmental impacts and costs to the taxpayer.” clientearth.org/clientearth-l… pic.twitter.com/arBF0q9hOw
ClientEarth statement on the Brexit withdrawal agreement
The Brexit withdrawal agreement includes wording supportive of establishing a green watchdog. However there are serious gaps in the declaration, and no legal safeguards governing this cooperation.
Political will is needed to halt European marine habitat neglect
Environmental experts are warning that marine life across Europe is being harmed because EU member states are neglecting to actively manage their marine protected areas.
Slovak court defends citizens’ right to clean air in Bratislava
Residents in Slovakia’s capital have won their court battle for clean air after a court ruled that the city’s Air Quality Plan breaches both Slovak and European laws.
ClientEarth lodges objection to Drax gas plant on climate grounds
ClientEarth has submitted a written objection to Drax Power’s plans to build four new gas turbines, on the grounds that it breaches the government’s planning and climate change recommendations.
Germany clocks up further diesel bans as government tries to thwart courts
Cologne and Bonn must introduce restrictions on diesel vehicles, as courts continue to be the main defender of people’s health from air pollution.
How to start a revolution
Disobedient Films explores what brought environmental pioneer James Thornton to London to set up ClientEarth – and his legal team’s six-year battle to protect our lungs from air pollution.
Explore our work
People • Law • Planet
We work to protect the environment through advocacy, litigation and science. We use the best research and policy analysis when choosing our strategic direction.
Our results…
2007
ClientEarth opens its doors in London and Brussels. Legal campaigning by our Energy team is instrumental in quashing plans for a new generation of coal plants in the UK.
green320
ClientEarth opens its doors in London and Brussels. Legal campaigning by our energy team is instrumental in quashing plans for a new generation of coal plants in the UK.
January 2009
New Statesman names CEO James Thornton “one of ten people who could change the world.”
green320
New Statesman names CEO James Thornton “one of ten people who could change the world.”
May 2009
We begin work to make the UK government protect Londoners’ lungs from air pollution, a health scandal causing thousands of premature deaths every year.
green320
Begin air pollution work in London
November 2010
We open our Warsaw office. Our team works to ensure Poland forges a clean, modern energy infrastructure that protects people’s health and the country’s unique habitats.
green320
Open Warsaw office (http://www.clientearth.org/news/press-releases/warsaw-office-1173)
February 2010
In the EU we begin work on toxic chemicals, enforcing citizens’ right to know what is in the products they use.
green320
In the EU we begin work on toxic chemicals, enforcing citizens’ right to know what is in the products they use.
October 2010
Our advocacy and litigation strategy forces EU chemical and food safety regulators to be more transparent about how toxic substances are being used in Europe.
green320
ECHA forced to be more transparent http://www.clientearth.org/news/press-releases/european-chemicals-agency-1017
August 2011
We act as the voice of Europe in a critical US climate case which successfully defends the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon pollution.
green320
amicus brief for EPA http://www.clientearth.org/eu-environmental-law/publications/european-amicus-us-epa-case-1535
April 2011
We launch the Sustainable Seafood Coalition, uniting nearly all the major UK supermarkets and seafood suppliers in a unique initiative for sustainable seas.
green320
SSC launch
December 2011
We force the UK government to admit it is breaching air pollution limits.
green320
UK gov forced to admit it is failing on air pollution http://www.clientearth.org/news/press-releases/air-pollution-uk-government-high-court-verdict-1639
April 2011
In Brussels we launch the EU Aarhus Centre, dedicated to protecting citizens’ rights to information and access to the courts.
green320
Aarhus Centre launch http://www.clientearth.org/news/press-releases/eu-aarhus-centre-1315
February 2012
Our Forests team significantly expands its work in Africa, building legal capacity for communities in timber-producing nations.
green320
Forests team expands Africa work
February 2013
In Poland we support farmers taking action against a number of planned coal power investments that breach national and EU law.
green320
Poland work with farmers against new cola power http://www.clientearth.org/news/press-releases/clientearth-statement-on-the-ruling-by-the-administrative-court-in-gdansk-on-the-north-power-plant-case-2114
January 2013
The Lawyer names our CEO, James Thornton, as one of the top 100 lawyers in the UK.
green320
James Thornton Hot 100 Lawyers
Summer 2013
The EU fisheries reform reflects all our major demands.
green320
CFP reform reflects demands
November 2014
EU Court backs our air pollution case, ruling the UK government must act to clean up deadly air pollution.
green320
EU court backs our air pollution campaign http://www.clientearth.org/news/press-releases/eu-court-rules-uk-government-must-act-to-clean-up-deadly-air-pollution-2699
September 2014
Members of our Sustainable Seafood Coalition, including nearly all UK supermarkets, agree codes on consistent environmental labelling and sourcing.
green320
SSC members agree codes http://www.clientearth.org/news/latest-news/seafood-brands-agree-codes-on-consistent-environmental-labelling-and-sourcing-2645
July 2014
We created a first-of-its-kind “bible for forest law” in Gabon, helping people defend their rights and livelihoods.
green320
Forest bible launched http://www.blog.clientearth.org/became-pocket-lawyer-protecting-forests-ghana-elvis-kuudaar/
2015
We won our first air pollution case against the UK government.
green320
We won our first air pollution case against the UK government.
2016
In 2016, we launched a New York office to work with US NGOs and donors.
green320
In 2016, we launched a New York office to work with US NGOs and donors.
2016
We began work on energy in Spain, and later we added sustainable seafood work.
green320
We began work on energy in Spain, and later we added sustainable seafood work.
2017
The UN upholds our access to justice complaint, telling the European Union it must let people go to court to protect the environment.
green320
The UN upholds our access to justice complaint, telling the European Union it must let people go to court to protect the environment.
April 2018
After three years of legal work by ClientEarth, the EU Court of Justice rules that logging in Poland's Bialowieza Forest breaks EU law.
green320
The UN upholds our access to justice complaint, telling the European Union it must let people go to court to protect the environment.
May 2018
By May 2018, we have trained over 300 Chinese judges and prosecutors in environmental law.
green320
By May 2018, we have trained over 300 Chinese judges and prosecutors in environmental law.“ClientEarth is essential to the green movement… to bring governments to account and carve out a new environmental agenda.”
Brian Eno
ClientEarth Trustee
You can help
Our work relies on the continued support of engaged individuals and foundations. You can make a difference – help us to continue protecting our planet for future generations…
Follow us
You can help
Your support helps us use the law to protect your environment.