In a historic decision, the International Court of Justice delivered a sweeping advisory opinion stating that countries have a legal obligation under international law to protect the planet from climate change, and that failing to do so could constitute an internationally wrongful act.
The ruling on Wednesday, while non-binding, is a significant turning point in international climate law and human rights. It stems from a sustained campaign led by Vanuatu and supported by over 130 U.N. member nations, and marks the first time the world court has comprehensively addressed the legal dimensions of the climate crisis.
Human Rights — International Court of Justice (ICJ) — Asia-Pacific — Vanuatu — Netherlands — United States — Saudi Arabia — China — U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 1994 — Brazil — International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) — Inter-American Court of Human Rights — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
