A watershed moment in climate justice

Failure of a state in checking emissions may be considered an internationally wrongful act.

On July 23, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed down an advisory opinion (AO) on the obligation of states regarding climate change. The decision is considered a big victory for humanity, strengthening belief in the international environmental rule of law. Initially led by Vanuatu and later co-sponsored by 132 states, the issue was discussed at the UN General Assembly, following which it unanimously sent the reference (resolution 77/276, March 29, 2023) to the ICJ.