In the next two weeks, a major climate change case will be heard at the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. This case will involve 98 countries and 12 organisations, all testifying about the impact of climate change on vulnerable countries like Vanuatu, a Pacific island state.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague will be tasked with answering two crucial questions. Firstly, what obligations do United Nations member states have to protect other member states and future generations from the disastrous effects of climate change? And secondly, what are the legal consequences if member states fail to take action? The focus of the case will be on the impact of climate change on particularly vulnerable countries, such as Vanuatu, which initiated the case. With rising sea levels threatening their very existence, Vanuatu is concerned about the potential violation of human rights for its residents. According to Vishal Prasad, director of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC), “climate change is not a distant threat for us, it is already changing our lives and putting our islands at risk.”
A record number of 98 countries and 12 organisations will present their views to the 15 judges at the ICJ. This includes not only vulnerable island states like Fiji and Vanuatu, but also the world’s three largest emitters – China, the US, and India – as well as the Organisation of Petroleum Producing Countries (OPEC) and the European Union. In a groundbreaking move, victims of climate disasters will also have the opportunity to be heard. Each party will be given half an hour to express their views.
While the ICJ’s advisory opinion is not expected until after the summer of 2025, it is not legally binding but may serve as a reference for future climate lawsuits. The small fishing island of Mazaz in Papua New Guinea is a stark reminder of the urgency of this issue, as it is predicted to submerge due to climate change. This serves as a powerful motivation for all parties involved to reach a resolution.
In related news, after more than 32 hours of negotiations, participating countries at the UN climate summit COP29 in Baku have finally reached an agreement on international climate action. This highlights the pressing need for global cooperation and action to address the effects of climate change. With the latest developments and data, it is clear that the time for action is now. Let us hope that this case at the ICJ will bring us one step closer to a sustainable and secure future for all.