ABSTRACT
This chapter's point of departure is that constitutions are a modern state's most important intergenerational contract, and current generations’ responsibilities for future generations are strengthened by protection clauses. The chapter contains political analysis of how climate lawsuits put protection clauses to the test. Two climate lawsuits, one in Germany and the other in Norway, are provided as examples of a growing trend worldwide. The German protection clause proved binding for contemporary political decisions, while the Norwegian one was not binding regarding this climate lawsuit. More was at stake in Norway than in Germany. There are tensions in Norway between the petroleum industry as the country's most important industry, and reduction of climate change for future generations worldwide. The tensions in Germany concern which generation will carry the efforts of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The chapter concludes that the complainants in both countries introduced new frames regarding future generations in the courtrooms.
