Environmental Justice Principles are adopted at the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit in Washington DC, US.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, includes an acknowledgement of “common but differentiated responsibilities” of “developed” and “developing” nations when it comes to addressing climate change.

The first proposal for a “just transition” is attributed to Tony Mazzocchi, president of the US Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union, who proposes a fund to support workers displaced by environmental protection policies.

The NGO CorpWatch publishes a report titled “Greenhouse Gangsters vs Climate Justice”, setting out a definition of the term. It calls for a just transition and for fossil fuel companies to be held accountable for “the central role they play in contributing to global warming”.

The first Climate Justice Summit takes place in The Hague, Netherlands, to coincide with COP6, which is being held in the same city.

World Conference Against Racism takes place in Durban, South Africa, including discussions of environmental racism.

Bali Principles of Climate Justice are released at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Developed by a group of international NGOs, the 27 points draw inspiration from previous environmental justice principles and set the tone for future discussions around climate justice.

Thousands of activists march during COP8 negotiations in New Delhi, including Indian farmers, Indigenous people and NGOs from 20 countries. They draw up the Delhi Climate Justice Declaration affirming that “climate change is a rights issue”.

In the US, the Black Congressional Caucus releases a report on the potential injustice of climate change titled “African Americans and Climate Change: An Unequal Burden”.

Activists release the Durban Declaration on Carbon Trading, signalling their opposition to emissions trading and describing it as a “false solution which entrenches and magnifies social inequalities”.

Hurricane Katrina, which disproportionately impacts African American communities in New Orleans, is seen as an important moment for the environmental and climate justice movement.

Inuit peoples of Alaska and Canada file a petition arguing that the US’ contribution to the adverse effects of climate change has violated their fundamental human rights. It is ultimately unsuccessful.

Climate Justice Now! coalition of NGOs launches on the final day of COP13 in Bali.

COP15 in Copenhagen, Denmark, takes place amid enormous pressure from climate-justice activists and global south nations calling for an international agreement that is based on fairness and equity for nations that are vulnerable to climate change.

World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth takes place in Cochabamba, Bolivia, as a gathering of civil society groups and governments following the perceived shortcomings of COP15.

Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice coalition of global NGOs launches at the Bangkok Climate Change Conference.

The Mary Robinson Foundation, founded by the former Irish president, releases its “declaration on climate justice”.

Ahead of COP21 in Paris, France, where the Paris Agreement would be adopted months later, environmental NGOs from across the political spectrum release a “People’s Test on Climate” setting out demands for the anticipated climate treaty.

Ahead of COP24 in Katowice, Poland, groups once again organise a set of People’s Demands for Climate Justice.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Edward Markey in the US released a plan for a Green New Deal, advocating for a “just transition” to support vulnerable communities across the nation.

The Dutch Supreme Court, the highest court in the Netherlands, comes to a final decision in the Urgenda climate case, finding that the Dutch government is obliged to significantly reduce its emissions further in line with its human rights obligations.

The European Commission’s Green Deal, which aims to achieve “climate neutrality” in the EU by 2050, includes a Just Transition Mechanism to ensure support for fossil fuel workers and others affected.

Joe Biden wins the US presidency on a platform that promises “environmental justice” for climate-vulnerable communities and fossil-fuel workers.

Following a complaint by youth activists in Germany, the supreme constitutional court rules that the government’s climate policies are insufficient to protect future generations.

The Hague District Court court in the Netherlands rules that the oil giant Shell had violated a duty of care and human rights obligations and must reduce its emissions.