Creates climate liability for fossil fuel related activity which caused or contributed to climate change

This bill creates a legal right for New Yorkers to sue fossil fuel companies for climate-related damages. It targets companies that emitted at least one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases between 1989 and the bill's effective date, excluding public utilities and government entities. The law establishes a "right of action" under New York's General Business Law, allowing individuals or communities to seek compensation for harms linked to fossil fuel activities. This provision directly affects fossil fuel producers and distributors meeting the emissions threshold, enabling lawsuits based on historical climate impact and industry deception.