Law As a Tool for Climate Justice: Learning from the Women's Movement. a Comparison between the Climate Movement and Women's Movement in the Use of Law As a Tool for Social Change.

Law is utilized to maintain and legitimize patriarchal structures and serves as a means to oppress and to uphold the status quo (cf. Butler 1991). However, law also functions as a mechanism for emancipation and the establishment of justice. It can be an important instrument for social movements to achieve progress and change (Gerhard 1997). Historically, the women's movement has employed legal frameworks to combat systemic inequalities and promote gender equality. Landmark cases, legal reforms, and international treaties have all played a central role in advancing women's rights. Similarly, the climate movement has begun to recognize the potential of law as a mechanism to hold governments and corporations accountable for environmental degradation and climate change. Notable examples include climate litigation against fossil fuel companies and governments, as well as advocacy for the recognition of the rights of nature (Setzer and Higham 2023). Despite these efforts, the climate movement often encounters significant obstacles, including political resistance, inadequate legal frameworks, and the entrenched interests of powerful stakeholders. Understanding how the women's movement is overcoming similar challenges can provide valuable insights into strategies that can be employed to enhance the effectiveness of climate justice initiatives. This study does not only draw lessons from past successes but also identifies innovative approaches that can be applied to the current climate crisis. Through a comparative analysis of the women's and the climate movement, this article examines how social movements utilize law to effect change and what strategies are employed to achieve legal reform. It aims to explore the parallels between the women's movement and the climate movement, focusing on how both utilize law as a tool for social justice. By comparing their tactics, successes, and challenges, this study aims to identify ways to improve the effectiveness of legal advocacy in climate justice initiatives.