UN Top Court Begins Historic Hearing on Climate Change Responsibilities– The United Nations’ top court has started an unprecedented hearing to establish legal guidelines on how nations should protect the planet against climate change and support vulnerable countries in addressing its devastating impacts.
Protesters gathered outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ), demanding climate change responsibilities and justice as the court took up its largest case in history, the plight of small island nations threatened by rising sea levels and environmental degradation.
Small island nations, fearing for their survival, have called for major polluting countries to be held accountable. Years of lobbying by these nations, who risk disappearing under rising sea waters, prompted the UN General Assembly to request an advisory opinion from the ICJ last year. This opinion seeks to clarify the state’s obligations in combating climate change.
While nonbinding, the court’s decision could serve as a powerful tool for future legal actions, including domestic lawsuits. Representatives from Vanuatu and other low-lying Pacific islands underscored the importance of this process, stating it is critical for preserving their lands, cultures, languages, and livelihoods.
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More than 100 countries and organizations are expected to make submissions over the next two weeks—the highest number ever for the ICJ. The hearings, held at the iconic Peace Palace, will take place shortly after the COP29 climate summit in Eiran.
At COP29, polluting nations pledged $300 billion annually by 2035 to help poorer nations transition to cleaner energy and prepare for extreme weather. However, developing countries criticized the pledge as insufficient, arguing it failed to include a commitment to phase out fossil fuels—a significant contributor to global warming.
This historic case underscores the urgent need for global action to address the climate crisis and protect the world’s most vulnerable communities.
