Climate Litigation Lab
As climate movements continue to demand justice and accountability through lawsuits and legal procedures, climate litigation will emerge as a fundamental tool to protect human and environmental rights, seek accountability for commitments made at a governance level, and balance the barriers and tensions between local and international adaptation and decarbonization trajectories.
Climate Litigation Lab convenes legal practitioners, campaigners and communicators to develop strategic communications, media tools, and campaign entry points around emerging climate, environment, and extractive issues.
Addis Lab
This program is centered around three key themes; Climate Litigation, Diplomacy and Campaigning. Over the course of 3 days, the program seeks to converge practitioners to critically examine some of the factors that affect or influence movement building, campaigning and narrative change in the climate justice space through shared experiences, strategic exchange and agenda setting on what the future should be.
While climate litigation plays an integral role in ensuring campaigns are built to withstand legal interventions, Diplomacy on the other hand creates a level playing field where actors can sit at a table to devise governance and political change at an institutional level. There’s a gap that exists within the climate space where advocates generally feel excluded in key decision making spaces where their voices matter the most. The lab keys into a diplomatic process that exists at both state and regional levels through multilateral institutions that individuals and movements can key into to influence change. This extends to strategic periods where CSOs action can be more impactful and how to leverage on institutional provisions to push for accountability and greater commitment to climate action.
A focus on Legal Advocacy for Campaigners in Relation to SLAPP Suits
Joburg Lab
Campaigners in Africa face unique vulnerabilities due to the intersection of weak legal protections, limited resources, and the often-dangerous nature of their work. Environmental defenders are particularly at risk, as their activism often threatens the financial interests of powerful actors. This vulnerability underscores the urgent need for capacity-building workshops that equip campaigners with the legal knowledge and tools necessary to effectively defend against SLAPP suits and other forms of legal intimidation.
This workshop is designed to address this need by providing campaigners with comprehensive legal information that they can use to protect themselves and their work. The workshop will cover key topics such as the legal implications of SLAPP suits, case studies from Africa and beyond, and practical strategies for defending against these lawsuits. Additionally, participants will be introduced to a network of legal professionals and resources that can offer support in case they are targeted by a SLAPP suit in the future.
Climate Litigation & Strategic Campaigning: Advocacy & Movement Narratives
Toolkits & Guides
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SLAPP Suits in African Jurisdiction, A Toolkit for Lawyers, Activists & Campaigners —a comprehensive, Africa-specific resource designed to help defenders, lawyers, and grassroots campaigners identify, resist, and recover from SLAPPs. The Toolkit is packed with practical guidance, legal templates, and case studies, all tailored to the unique legal landscapes of African countries. It’s a lifeline for those who find themselves facing down a hostile courtroom, often with little support and even less funding.
The rationale behind the Toolkit is as urgent as it is obvious: activists and communities are being targeted by state and corporate actors who use the law as a cudgel. The Toolkit gives them the tools to fight back, adapt strategies across jurisdictions, and build collective resilience.
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