As the climate accountability movement gains unprecedented momentum, American courts have become the new frontline for environmental justice, with states and cities launching groundbreaking lawsuits against fossil fuel industries.

In a year marked by legal complexity and high-stakes litigation, 2025 saw more than 70 subnational governments challenging big oil's alleged climate deception through innovative legal strategies.

The Supreme Court played a pivotal role in these proceedings, repeatedly rejecting fossil fuel interests' attempts to block climate accountability cases. A significant victory came when the court denied a plea to dismiss a Honolulu lawsuit and turned down an unusual bid by red states to obstruct similar legal challenges.

Innovative legal approaches emerged, including the first-ever wrongful-death lawsuit linking climate negligence to a heat wave fatality. A Washington woman filed a groundbreaking case alleging the industry's actions directly contributed to her mother's death, while Washington residents launched a class-action lawsuit claiming fossil fuel sector deception drove significant homeowners' insurance cost increases.

Hawaii made history by becoming the 10th state to sue big oil, filing its case just hours after an unusual Department of Justice intervention attempting to block such litigation. Richard Wiles, president of the Center for Climate Integrity, noted that oil companies have maintained a 'losing record' in attempts to get these cases thrown out.

The legal landscape remains dynamic, with the Supreme Court expected to review Boulder, Colorado's climate lawsuit against two major oil companies. This decision could potentially embolden or restrict future climate accountability litigation nationwide.

Despite challenges, including executive orders and congressional attempts to halt such legal actions, the climate accountability movement continues to gain strength. As Wiles optimistically stated, even potential setbacks would not mean 'the end of big oil being held accountable in court'.