Published Paper Details:

Climate change is no longer a distant or theoretical concern; it has become an immediate and lived reality, particularly in India. Increasing heatwaves, floods, landslides , rising sea levels, and growing threats to food security demonstrate how climate impacts are affecting everyday life rather than remaining isolated environmental events. India's legal framework has historically addressed environmental protection by expanding the scope of Article 21 of the Constitution to include the right to a clean and healthy environment. However, a significant development occurred in 2024 when the Supreme Court recognised freedom from the adverse effects of climate change as a fundamental right. This marked a shift from traditional environmental regulation toward the broader concept of climate constitutionalism. This study examines how climate change has become embedded within the constitutional right to life by analysing judicial developments, human rights principles, climate justice, and intergenerational equity. While the judiciary has played a crucial role in advancing climate rights, the effectiveness of these protections ultimately depends on the creation of comprehensive legislation and strong institutional mechanisms. Without practical implementation, constitutional recognition alone risks remaining symbolic rather than transformative.