Communities across Asia are increasingly turning to the courts to seek climate justice, as demonstrated by a landmark case in December 2025. Survivors of Super Typhoon Rai, which struck the Philippines in December 2021, filed a lawsuit against Shell at the Royal Courts of Justice. They argue that the company's historical emissions contributed to climate change, worsening disasters like Rai, which killed over 400 people and displaced 1.4 million.
Impact of Super Typhoon Rai on Local Communities
Super Typhoon Rai, known locally as Odette, devastated Batasan Island in Bohol, leaving families like that of Trixy Elle homeless and struggling to survive. "As a mother, it was up to me to find ways to feed my family," Elle recalled, describing how her family resorted to eating dead livestock in the aftermath of the storm. The typhoon affected 10.6 million people in the Philippines, highlighting the severe impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.
In the wake of the disaster, Elle and others began questioning why communities that contribute little to climate change face the brunt of its impacts. This deep sense of injustice has spurred legal actions against major fossil fuel companies like Shell, which the plaintiffs allege have long known about the risks posed by climate change.
Challenges in Climate Litigation in Asia
Despite a global surge in climate litigation, the Global South, particularly Asia, remains underrepresented in such cases. As of mid-2025, less than 10 percent of the 3,099 climate change cases filed globally originated from this region. Jolene Lin, director of the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law, attributes this to weak rule of law and judicial corruption in many Asian countries.
