Sept. 2005 - A US court threw out a petition by eight states and the City of New York to order caps on carbon emissions by power generators American Electric Power Co. Inc., Southern Co., Xcel Energy Inc., Cinergy Corp. and the Tennessee Valley Authority public power system. A New York district court judge said it was a political issue for the president or Congress to decide.

November - A Nigerian judge ruled that the burning of natural gas by oil firms in the Niger Delta violated the human rights of local people. Plaintiffs argued the flares were a health hazard, and a major source of greenhouse gases.

December - Inuit people in the Arctic petitioned a branch of the Organization of American States to brand global warming a form of human rights abuse undermining their hunting cultures. They hope the petition will put pressure on the United States and other nations to brake emissions.

July 10, 2006 - The World Heritage Committee, a part of UNESCO, rejected a petition by environmentalists to place Mount Everest on a list of endangered sites because of melting Himalayan glaciers. A listing would have obliged more action by governments to protect the world's highest peak.

Sept. 20 - California sued six of the world's largest automakers, saying greenhouse gas emissions from their vehicles have caused billions of dollars of damages. The complaint, which an auto industry group called a "nuisance" suit, names General Motors, Ford, Toyota, DaimlerChrysler, Honda and Nissan.

Sept. 26 - A US federal judge set a trial date of Jan. 30, 2007, to let automakers challenge California's strict regulations limiting heat-trapping emissions from cars and trucks.

Nov. 27 - An Australian court ruled the authorities will have to step up studies of the greenhouse gas impact of new projects, such as a coal mine at Anvil Hill in New South Wales, before giving approval.

Nov. 29 - The US Supreme Court will hear a case by groups seeking to force the government to restrict greenhouse gas emissions by cars and trucks. The case pits environmental groups and 12 states against the Environmental Protection Agency, which says it lacks authority to regulate emissions. A ruling is expected by mid-2007.