As the proud host of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), Glasgow has positioned itself as a leading city in addressing the climate crisis. In alignment with this commitment, the University of Strathclyde has launched its first social enterprise spinout, C2LI – Climate Change Legal Initiative, with a mission to combat global warming through legal education and action.

C²LI has developed the Climate Change Litigation Knowledge Hub, an open-access platform that simplifies complex climate litigation cases into brief, accessible summaries. Covering legal cases from over 30 countries – with plans to expand to 20 more this year and achieve global coverage within five years – the Hub supports organisations in navigating climate-related legislation, enhancing compliance, and reducing risks.

C²LI operates as a Community Interest Company, meaning all profits are reinvested into its mission rather than distributed. This ensures that its efforts remain focused on social and environmental impact, helping businesses and public sector organisations stay informed about climate laws and supporting climate-positive action.

Strathclyde’s Chief Commercial Officer, Gillian Docherty OBE, highlighted C2LI’s potential impact, stating, “This initiative represents a crucial step in ensuring compliance with climate laws and addressing the climate emergency effectively.”

C²LI’s Director, Professor Francesco Sindico, represented the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The Court’s subsequent advisory opinion affirmed that preventing significant harm to the climate system is a legal obligation of all States, that the global temperature goal must be 1.5°C, and that fossil fuel subsidies may be unlawful under international law.

These landmark proceedings highlight the growing role of law in shaping global climate action – and Strathclyde’s leadership in driving it.