Environmental Claims

From diesel emissions to water company spillages, we help people claim compensation for environmental harm.

Join the Claim is not a law firm. We connect individuals with top law firms for consumer claims, and our service is free to use. While we may receive a fee from the law firms we introduce you to, this will not affect your costs or compensation. We are not responsible for the advice or services provided by these firms. Please note that nothing on this website is legal advice, and while we check claim eligibility, we cannot guarantee a law firm will accept a case.

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What are environmental claims?

Environmental claims are legal claims brought by individuals or groups against companies, public bodies or other organisations whose actions have caused environmental harm or breached environmental laws.

They can involve issues such as diesel emissions, water pollution, air pollution, contamination or misleading environmental claims.

At Join the Claim, if a legal claim is launched by one of our trusted partner law firms, we’ll let you know how to take action and stand up for what’s right. It’s free to check your eligibility and only takes a couple of minutes to get started. So you can make an environmental claim quickly and easily.

Environmental claims at a glance

Explore environmental claims

Environmental failures can affect health, finances and everyday life

Environmental harm isn’t always obvious. It can affect the air you breathe, the water you use, the products you buy, the value of your property and even the decisions you make as a consumer or investor.

When businesses or organisations fail to meet environmental standards, mislead consumers or cause avoidable environmental damage, individuals and communities can be left dealing with the consequences. From polluted rivers and illegal emissions to misleading green claims and failed environmental investments, you may have legal rights.

What can you claim for after an environmental breach?

Not every environmental incident leads to legal action, but where there is evidence that an organisation has broken the law, failed in its legal duties or caused widespread harm, individuals may be able to seek compensation through an individual or group claim.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to claim for:

Health and wellbeing

Illness, stress or other health impacts linked to pollution, contaminated water, poor air quality or exposure to harmful substances.

Financial loss

Costs resulting from environmental harm, including repairs, clean-up expenses, increased bills or losses caused by misleading environmental claims or failed investments.

Property damage

Damage, contamination, flooding or other environmental issues that reduce the value of your property or affect your ability to enjoy or use it.

Consumer losses

Financial losses suffered after relying on misleading environmental or sustainability claims when buying products or services.

Different types of environmental claims

Environmental harm can take many forms. Here are some possible types of group actions:

Diesel emissions (defeat device) claims

Vehicle manufacturers that installed illegal software to cheat emissions tests caused more pollution than reported. Owners may be entitled to compensation for being misled and for the environmental impact.

Water pollution and sewage spills

Water companies that release untreated sewage into rivers and seas, harming ecosystems and communities, may face legal action for negligence and regulatory breaches.

Air pollution and industrial emissions

Factories, power plants and waste facilities that emit harmful gases or particulates can be held accountable if their pollution exceeds legal limits and damages health or the environment.

Environmental data breaches

When regulators, councils or companies fail to protect your personal information, exposing it through cyber attacks, human error or poor data security.

Greenwashing and false advertising

When companies exaggerate their environmental credentials or hide unsustainable practices, they may be breaching consumer law.

Renewable energy and investment mis-selling

Misleading sales tactics for “green” energy schemes or products that fail to deliver promised returns or sustainability benefits.

Who do environmental breaches affect?

Environmental damage rarely affects just one person. It impacts entire communities — and often the people least able to absorb the cost. You don’t need to be an activist to be affected, if pollution, corporate neglect or environmental dishonesty has touched your life, you could be eligible to claim. This includes:

  • Drivers and vehicle owners misled by diesel emissions scandals.
  • Households and families living near rivers polluted by sewage or industrial waste.
  • Residents in urban areas exposed to illegal air pollution levels.
  • Fishermen, farmers and small businesses hit by contaminated land or water.
  • Property owners facing damage or devaluation due to environmental neglect.
  • Consumers misled by companies overstating their “green” credentials.
  • Local communities denied access to clean, safe outdoor spaces.

Do I qualify for an environmental claim?

You might qualify if you were affected by pollution, emissions fraud, water contamination, or environmental negligence — or if you were misled by false “eco-friendly” claims.

Eligibility varies by claim. If we’re working with a partner law firm, our quick online checker will show whether you meet the criteria for that group action. If there isn’t a partner law firm in place yet, you can register your interest — and we’ll keep you updated if a claim goes ahead.

You could be eligible for an environmental claim if:

How do group environmental claims work?

Some environmental failures affect thousands or even millions of people at the same time.

When large numbers of people are affected, a group action can help you and your community claim compensation collectively and push for real accountability.

How do group environmental claims work?

Some environmental failures affect thousands or even millions of people at the same time. In these situations, law firms may investigate group legal action on behalf of everyone affected.

Why claiming matters

Environmental harm doesn’t just damage nature — it damages lives. By making a claim, you:

Claiming helps protect not just your community, but the planet we all share.

Why use Join the Claim?

Join the Claim makes it simple to take action when companies pollute, mislead or put profits before the planet.

We work closely with trusted, regulated law firms across the UK to connect you with the right legal help.

From the moment you get in touch, we keep things clear, straightforward and stress-free. With fast eligibility checks, expert support and no legal jargon, we’re here to help you understand your rights and get the compensation you deserve — quickly and confidently.

Making an environment claim: How it works

Answer a few quick questions

Answer a few straightforward questions and you’ll know if you could qualify for a live claim. If we don’t yet have a partner firm in place, simply tell us about how the issue affects you.

See who’s handling the claim

Where we work with a partner firm, we’ll show you the regulated UK law firm running the claim, so you can decide whether you’d like to continue. In some cases, claims are handled through an official claim website, and we’ll point in the right direction.

Join the Claim

If you choose to proceed, you’ll complete your registration with the law firm, or through the official claim website. They will then handle the claim and keep you updated along the way. If a claim is still developing, we’ll let you know if any updates become available.

Help and advice for environmental issues

If pollution, emissions or greenwashing have affected you, being informed can help you protect your rights and hold companies accountable.

Find an environmental claim today

It's fast, easy, and you can do it all online.

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Environmental claim FAQs

Environmental claims are legal claims brought by individuals or groups against companies, public bodies or other organisations whose actions have caused environmental harm or breached environmental laws. They can involve issues such as diesel emissions, water pollution, air pollution, contamination or misleading environmental claims.

The law firms we partner with usually operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you only pay if the claim is successful. However, fees may apply if you cancel after the cooling-off period or breach your agreement.

If you win, the firm will either take its fees from your compensation payment or recover them from the defendants.

All terms are clearly explained before joining.

Want the full picture, including what to check before signing?  Read our complete guide to no win, no fee agreements here. 

Not every environmental incident leads to legal action, but where there is evidence that organisations have broken the law or caused widespread harm, individuals may be able to seek compensation through an individual or group claim.

Each claim has its own legal criteria, including who is affected, when the issue occurred and the evidence available.

Possibly. Not all environmental claims are based on financial loss. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to claim compensation for issues such as distress, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of your home or local environment, or other non-financial impacts. Every claim is different, and the types of compensation available will depend on the legal basis of the claim and your individual circumstances.

Using Join the Claim is free. While we may take a fee from the law firms we introduce you to, this won’t impact the cost of your claim or any compensation you receive.

Experienced legal professionals and law firms handle all aspects of the claim. Our role is to connect eligible claimants with expert representation.

Yes. Some environmental issues can be pursued as individual claims if they have affected you personally, such as damage to your property or financial losses. However, where large numbers of people have been affected by the same issue, a group action may be the most practical way to seek compensation. The right approach depends on the circumstances of the case.

The evidence required depends on the type of claim. You may need documents showing you were affected, such as proof of vehicle ownership, photographs of damage, medical records, correspondence, or evidence of financial losses. If you’re joining a group action, the law firm handling the case will explain what information they need and will often gather much of the wider evidence needed to support the claim.

Not every environmental incident leads to legal action, but where there is evidence that organisations have broken the law or caused widespread harm, individuals may be able to seek compensation through an individual or group claim. The amount of compensation available varies from case to case. No compensation can be guaranteed. 

There is no set timescale. Straightforward individual claims may be resolved relatively quickly, while complex group actions involving large numbers of people can take several years. The law firm managing the claim will keep participants updated on important developments and explain what to expect as the case progresses.

A group action claim allows people affected by the same issue to take action together. This strength in numbers helps stand up to big organisations. Join the Claim helps connect people with law firms so these actions have real impact.

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Clifford
Very easy to sign up, hope its sorted soon
Susan
Very easy and quick to complete the claim Everything was explained well and fees payable in etc were made very clear
Peter
So easy to sign up for the claim