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The ICJ Rules That Failing to Combat Climate Change Could Violate International Law
In a landmark ruling, the International Court of Justice declared that failure to act on climate change can be an “internationally wrongful act”—meaning countries could face legal consequences for harming the planet.
The court’s analysis considered the provisions of international treaties such as the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Paris Agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, among others. If found to be in breach of their obligations, they should stop their unlawful conduct, guarantee they won’t repeat their actions if the circumstances so require, and give full reparation to those affected, including through restitution and compensation. The opinion issued represents a significant victory for island nations and international movements that, for decades, have sought to establish legal mechanisms to hold major greenhouse gas emitters accountable for the consequences of climate change on their livelihoods, well-being, and the survival of their ecosystems.
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