Online public hearing: Reforming climate governance in the light of recent international judicial decisions

Location

Rue Belliard 99-101
Brussels
Belgium

On 7 July 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee will host an online public hearing on Reforming climate governance in the light of recent international judicial decisions. 

In recent years, international climate negotiations under the Conference of Parties (COPs) and their outcomes have become increasingly difficult. In a tense geopolitical context, numerous civil society stakeholders are calling for a reform of global climate governance to level up the ambition demanded by the current climate crisis. This is centered around two major ambitions, namely to reform the current consensus decision-making model, as well as to create mechanisms that will give civil society greater participation, transparency and influence in COPs.

In parallel, society has witnessed the promising rise of climate litigation. What began in the early 2010s as a predominantly domestic litigation trend has gradually matured and gained strength, culminating in recent years with decisions from several international courts offering ambitious and progressive interpretations of climate-protection obligations under the international climate treaties.

The aim of this event is to bring together representatives from the United Nations, academia, businesses, trade unions, and other civil society organisations as well as leading youth representatives in the field to discuss the proposals and identify possible future directions for the reform of governance and climate litigation. The discussion will feed into the EESC's own-initiative opinion on Reforming climate governance in the light of recent international judicial decisions.

  • This online session will be video-recorded and broadcasted live. 
  • Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in EN, DE and ES. 
  • No registration required.
  • Join us on 7 July from 9:30 to 13:00 and engage in the debate via sli.do (code: #ClimateGovernance).
  • Should you have questions or wish to attend in-person, please contact us.