Ensuring public administrations’ accountability: a legal pathway for climate action

CLIMA Lunch Seminar with Teresa Roa Martínez.

Abstract

The role of public administrations in the fight against climate change is under increasing scrutiny, particularly as litigation emerges as a tool to demand accountability. However, while corporate responsibility has been widely debated, the liability of public entities remains an area of growing legal and political significance. This seminar will explore whether existing European and international legal frameworks provide effective mechanisms to hold public administrations accountable for inaction or inadequate climate policies. A case law analysis shows that the regulatory framework has significant practical limitations in holding public administrations accountable, which clearly hinder climate litigation (e.g. the burden of proof, the limits of judicial intervention versus political discretion...). This analysis aims to demonstrate the relevance of the liability regime of public administrations as a tool in the fight against climate change and to formulate proposals to enhance its effectiveness.

About the speaker

Teresa Roa Martínez is a doctoral researcher in Law at the University of Vigo. Currently, her research is focused on administrative and environmental law. Her dissertation examines whether public authorities can be held accountable for climate change effects. Prior to starting her PhD, Teresa worked as a lawyer specializing in administrative law, particularly in the authorization of renewable energy installations.