Philippines

Cases[edit]

Oposa v. Factoran was a landmark case which established that the public trust doctrine exists within the constitutional right to a healthy environment. It established that schoolchildren could bring a class action suit on behalf of their generation and future generations to secure protection of the environment. The case concerned deforestation due to timber leases issued by the government. The court invalidated these leases and found that the government has a duty to conservation the country's forests, minerals, lands, waters, fisheries, wildlife, and other natural resources.

In Re Greenpeace Southeast Asia and Others. The Philippines Human Rights Commission found that the collective contribution to global heating by 47 coal, cement, and oil and gas companies violated Filipinos’ basic human rights to life, water, food, sanitation, adequate housing and self-determination. This case was the first time that a human rights body stated that fossil fuel companies can be found legally and morally liable for harms linked to climate change.