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The landmark hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which has been ongoing for the past two weeks, has come to a close. The 15 judges have heard evidence from 99 countries and dozens of organizations, and are now tasked with determining the legal obligations of states to tackle climate change and repair the harm caused.
The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for the fight against climate change, as well as for the big polluters who are responsible for emitting the majority of greenhouse gases. The judges’ advisory opinion, which is expected to be published next year, could carry legal weight and influence future climate negotiations.
The testimony presented at the hearing has been both technical and emotional. Small island states, who argue that their existence is at stake due to rising sea levels caused by global warming, have called for international human rights laws to apply to climate change. On the other hand, big polluting nations such as China, India, Britain, and the United States have argued that only climate treaties, such as the 2015 Paris Agreement, confer any legal obligations on nation-states regarding climate change.
The U.N. General Assembly requested this advisory ruling after years of lobbying from small island and vulnerable coastal states. The judges’ opinion will not be legally binding, but it could carry legal weight and influence future climate negotiations.
Youth climate groups have been at the forefront of this campaign, and many were present at the hearings in The Hague. As the hearing came to a close on Friday, many campaigners expressed optimism that the judges will issue a favorable advisory opinion. They hope that the opinion will bring about meaningful change and hold polluting nations accountable for their actions.