The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a landmark advisory opinion affirming that nations have a legal obligation under international law to combat climate change and protect both current and future generations. The court emphasized that a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a human right, and that failing to take appropriate action to protect the climate system may constitute an internationally wrongful act.
The ruling underscores the responsibility of states to cooperate in preventing harm caused by climate change and to ensure that their national climate targets represent the highest possible ambition. The court also highlighted that obligations under international human rights law and environmental treaties require states to take their obligations into account when implementing measures to address climate change.
While the advisory opinion is non-binding, it carries significant legal and political weight, potentially influencing future climate litigation and policy decisions. The ruling is expected to empower vulnerable nations to seek reparations for climate-related damages and to hold major emitters accountable for their contributions to climate change.
The ICJ's decision marks a significant turning point in international climate law, reinforcing the global consensus on the urgency of addressing climate change and the shared responsibility of nations to protect the environment for present and future generations.