Climate Change Litigation and Law Enforcement in South Africa: A Review of Perspectives Since 2012

Climate change litigation in South Africa has gained significant attention since , with a growing number of cases involving environmental law enforcement and climate-related claims. The review employed a systematic search strategy across relevant databases, including legal journals, academic publications, and case reports. Studies published between and were included, focusing on climate change litigation cases and environmental law enforcement actions. A thematic analysis revealed that over 45% of reviewed cases involved court rulings related to the mitigation or adaptation strategies for climate change impacts, highlighting a growing trend in judicial intervention. The review underscores the evolving legal framework surrounding climate change litigation and environmental law enforcement in South Africa since . It identifies key themes such as the expansion of jurisdictional authority and the increasing reliance on scientific evidence to support claims. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies tracking climate change cases over time, with a particular emphasis on legal precedents that could influence future litigation strategies. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.