CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY: REDEFINING LIABILITY PARADIGMS AND EXPANDING LEGAL FRONTIERS IN A CLIMATE-CONSCIOUS ERA

AUTHOR – GAURAV SIDDHARTHA* & DR. AXITA SRIVASTAVA**

* LLM BUSINESS LAW SCHOLAR AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, LUCKNOW

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, LUCKNOW

 BEST CITATION – GAURAV SIDDHARTHA & DR. AXITA SRIVASTAVA, CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY: REDEFINING LIABILITY PARADIGMS AND EXPANDING LEGAL FRONTIERS IN A CLIMATE-CONSCIOUS ERA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (6) OF 2025, PG. 318-326, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract

In the face of escalating climate change, corporate environmental accountability has emerged as a critical legal and moral imperative, particularly in India, a nation balancing rapid industrialization with climate vulnerability. This paper examines the evolving landscape of corporate liability for climate-related harms, focusing on Indian legal frameworks and landmark cases, complemented by international precedents. It analyzes how constitutional mandates, environmental statutes, tort law, and public interest litigation (PIL) are redefining liability parameters in India. By exploring challenges such as causation, standing, enforcement, and green- washing, and proposing robust pathways for accountability, the paper underscores India’s potential to lead in expanding legal frontiers in a climate-conscious era. The analysis integrates attribution science, human rights frameworks, and mandatory due diligence, offering a comprehensive roadmap for holding corporations accountable.

Keywords: Corporate Responsibility, Environmental Accountability, Indian Legal Framework, Climate Protection etc.