SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 13 – CLIMATE ACTION

AUTHOR – YASH PRAJAPATI, STUDENT AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, AMITY UNIVERSITY, MUMBAI

BEST CITATION – YASH PRAJAPATI, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 13 – CLIMATE ACTION, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (9) OF 2025, PG. 260-268, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

This article is published in the collaborated special issue of Amity Law School, Amity University, Mumbai and the Institute of Legal Education (ILE), titled “Emerging Trends in Law: Exploring Recent Developments and Reforms” (ISBN: 978-81-986345-1-1).

Abstract

The escalating climate crisis has placed Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) at the forefront of international and domestic legal agendas. This article critically examines the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks in facilitating the achievement of SDG 13, with a special focus on India. It explores the evolution of climate-related jurisprudence, including landmark cases such as M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, and evaluates the role of statutory mechanisms like the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) 2008. The analysis highlights significant gaps in current laws, including the absence of a dedicated climate change statute, limited enforcement mechanisms, and the need for stronger constitutional recognition of environmental rights. Drawing from international best practices and domestic realities, the article proposes comprehensive reforms, including the enactment of a Climate Change Act, establishment of an independent Climate Commission, strengthening the environmental rule of law, and alignment with global climate commitments. Ultimately, it argues that legal systems must transition from merely regulating environmental harm to proactively securing a sustainable future, ensuring that climate action is not aspirational but enforceable. The article offers a roadmap for legal transformation to meet the urgent demands of climate governance and fulfill the vision of SDG 13.