The International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered a landmark advisory opinion, clarifying that all nations are bound under international law to take decisive action to combat the human-made climate crisis. The court unanimously concluded that climate change poses an “urgent and existential threat” to life on Earth.
While an advisory opinion is non-binding, it carries immense legal and moral weight, reinforcing the international community’s obligation to protect the planet. This ruling is expected to significantly influence climate litigation worldwide, providing a stronger legal basis for citizens and groups to challenge their governments’ insufficient climate policies.
The decision builds upon recent international legal precedents, including a ruling from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and directly informs the urgency of ongoing negotiations at climate conferences like COP30.
It essentially establishes a duty of diligence for states, requiring them to implement robust policies to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts. Experts predict the ruling will be a powerful tool, particularly for vulnerable island states and developing nations, to press industrialized economies for greater emissions cuts and financial support.
