On 21^st May 2026, Greenwatch convened a dynamic and interdisciplinary workshop bringing together scientists, lawyers, policymakers, and civil society actors to explore one urgent question:

How can science better support climate litigation in Uganda and the Global South?

The workshop unfolded in three key phases; expectations and foundational insights, deep technical discussions, and strategic reflections on the future of climate litigation, each building toward a shared vision of strengthening environmental justice through collaboration.
 

Session 1: Setting the Stage – Expectations and Foundations

The workshop opened with participants expressing a strong desire to better understand the intersection between science and law in environmental litigation.

Across the room, a common theme emerged:
there is a clear need to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and legal practice.

Participants highlighted key expectations:

• Understanding how scientific evidence can strengthen litigation
• Learning from past cases and best practices
• Clarifying the role of scientists in legal processes
• Exploring how courts interpret and use scientific data

Greenwatch’s Executive Director presented the organization’s evolution from litigation to a broader strategy built on advocacy, empowerment, and legal action anchored in the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment.

A major shift in climate litigation was emphasized:
Moving from moral and political arguments to science-based, evidence-driven cases.

This transition has made one thing clear—science is now central to winning environmental cases.
 

Science in the Courtroom: A New Frontier

A key highlight was the presentation on climate science in litigation, particularly the rise of attribution science, a method used to link emissions to specific climate impacts.

Participants learned that:

• Courts increasingly rely on scientific evidence to determine responsibility
• A hierarchy of evidence exists, with IPCC reports at the top, followed by regional studies and peer-reviewed research
• However, scientific evidence must be simplified and clearly communicated for judges, who are not scientific experts

At the same time, challenges persist:

• Data gaps, especially in the Global South
• Difficulty linking global climate change to local impacts
• The complexity of proving causation in court

The discussion made it clear:
strong science alone is not enough—it must be translated into compelling legal narratives.

Participants speaking at the recent Science and The Law workshop

Session 2: Deepening the Conversation – Context, Evidence, and Collaboration

The second phase of the workshop focused on contextualizing climate litigation within Uganda and the Global South.

Participants stressed that:

• Litigation must reflect local realities, not just global frameworks
• Climate justice issues such as carbon markets and energy transitions often have unequal impacts at the local level

Rethinking Climate Justice in Local Contexts

Discussions raised critical concerns:

• Carbon credit systems may benefit global actors more than local communities
• Consumers are vulnerable to substandard “green” products
• Litigation can play a role in protecting citizens and ensuring accountability

This highlighted an important shift:  Climate litigation is not only about emissions, it is also about equity, fairness, and consumer protection.
 

The Role of Scientists: Beyond Research

A major focus was the evolving role of scientists in litigation. Scientists are no longer just observers, they are becoming active participants in justice processes.

Their roles include:

• Providing factual and technical evidence
• Serving as expert witnesses
• Conducting attribution studies
• Supporting policy modeling and projections

However, effective participation requires:

• Training in legal processes
• Ability to communicate clearly
• Maintaining independence and credibility

As emphasized during the discussions:
scientific integrity is non-negotiable even in adversarial legal settings.
 

Collaboration is Key

One of the strongest messages from Part 2 was the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Participants called for:

• Teams that include lawyers, scientists, and social experts
• Continuous engagement through thematic groups and meetings
• Building networks to support ongoing litigation efforts

Without collaboration, even strong evidence can fail in court.
 

Online Presentations from Invited Speakers

Session 3: From Challenges to Action – The Future of Climate Litigation

The final phase of the workshop shifted toward practical realities, systemic challenges, and future opportunities.
 

A Strong Legal Framework, But Limited Use

Uganda’s Climate Change Act (2021) provides a powerful legal basis for climate litigation, allowing individuals to seek remedies for environmental harm.

Courts can:

• Stop harmful activities
• Compel restoration
• Award compensation for loss and damage

Yet, participants noted that these legal tools are not fully utilized.
 

Key Barriers Identified

Several challenges were highlighted:

1. Evidence Gaps

• Most research is not designed for litigation
• Lack of context-specific, actionable data
• Limited agency among scientists to engage in legal processes

2. Science–Law Disconnect

• Scientists and lawyers use evidence differently
• Communication gaps reduce effectiveness in court

3. Institutional and Judicial Constraints

• Slow litigation processes
• Judicial hesitation in complex climate cases
• Perception of climate litigation as political
   

The Power of Strategy and Public Engagement

A key lesson was that litigation alone cannot drive climate justice.

Successful cases require:

• Advocacy
• Public mobilization
• Community engagement

Participants emphasized that communities must be part of the process, not just subjects of litigation.
 

Breaking the Silos

The workshop repeatedly returned to one critical issue:
The silo between science and law.

To address this, participants proposed:

• Cross-disciplinary training
• Curriculum reform
• Joint learning and practical engagement
• Creation of communities of practice
   

A Way Forward

The workshop concluded with clear action points:

• Invest in evidence generation, especially on loss and damage
• Develop accessible, centralized data systems
• Translate science into clear legal narratives
• Strengthen partnerships across sectors
• Build capacity for both scientists and legal professionals

Greenwatch also committed to:

• Establishing collaboration platforms
• Supporting training and networking
• Expanding initiatives like the Environmental Law Clinic
   

Conclusion: From Dialogue to Action

The Science and The Law Workshop (2026) was more than a conversation. It was a call to action.

It demonstrated that:

• The legal framework exists
• The science exists
• The expertise exists

What is needed now is integration.

By bringing together science, law, and communities, Uganda has the opportunity to build a strong, inclusive, and effective climate litigation ecosystem—one that not only protects the environment but also advances justice for present and future generations.

Watch The Live Stream Recording;