This article examines
the potential for shareholder climate litigation in Ireland, with a particular
focus on how it compares to the UK. It begins by discussing the landmark
ClientEarth v. Shell Board of Directors case before exploring other recent examples
of shareholder climate litigation. The focus then shifts to the legislative and
common law framework governing shareholder activism in Ireland, assessing the
opportunities and obstacles for such litigation in the context of climate
change. Given the Irish courts’ general reluctance to intervene in corporate
governance and the absence of a statutory derivative action, significant legal
barriers exist. While potential avenues include the common law derivative
action and section 212 minority shareholder actions, the current legal
framework presents substantial challenges, making shareholder climate
litigation in Ireland an uncertain and complex endeavour.