Linnéa Nordlander

What do you research?

My main area of expertise is the intersection of climate change and human rights in international law. My current research focuses on the potential of international human rights law to push states to meet the 1.5°C temperature target set by the Paris Agreement. Specifically, I explore whether human rights law imposes specific obligations with respect to GHG emissions reductions, as well as how human rights law is and can be used to advance state ambition on mitigation. In addition, I research the interconnections between human rights and climate change loss and damage, considering the gap-filling function that human rights can play in securing remedies for those adversely affected by climate change.

Why is it so important?

on mitigating climate change, but also the lack of preparedness to address impacts when they manifest. With respect to mitigation, understanding both the substance of human rights norms that already bind high-emitting states, as well as the ways in which they can be used, can be imperative in ensuring that warming is kept within safe levels in light of the recalcitrance of many such states. The prospects of this has already been demonstrated by litigation in several countries, with courts finding that a given state’s mitigation policy is misaligned with their human rights obligations. Despite the inadequacy of mitigation ambition and thus the inevitability of climate change impacts, international climate change law has no mechanisms to address impacts. My research on the links between human rights and loss and damage seeks to understand how this remedial gap can be filled.

A project you are proud of

I am especially proud of my book ‘Human Rights and Climate Change: The Law on Loss and Damage’ (Routledge) based on my PhD thesis, which is the first piece of scholarship establishing the link between human rights and loss and damage, thus offering a comprehensive understanding of the legal implications of individual climate harm in international law.

Updated December 2025

Through her participation in Policy Fellowship 2025-2026, Linnea is working with Christian Damholt, Political Consultant on Business at the Danish Trade Union Confederation.

In previous policy fellowships, Linnéa has worked with Cecilie Fenger Michaelsen, team leader, Department for Green Diplomacy and Climate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Paolo Perotti, Chief Legal Officer, Ministry of Environment; Simon Wandel-Petersen, Deputy Director at the Department for Green Diplomacy and Climate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Fiona Luscombe Kielsgaard Holm, investment advisory lead, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Mette Kirstine Schmidt, political and international lead, Brintbranchen (Alumner - Policy Fellowship).