A Landmark Court Ruling Tinged With Disappointment

The world’s highest court has finally spoken on climate change. Delivering the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion from the Hague last week, the president of the ICJ, Judge Iwasawa Yuji from Japan, confirmed that there is an “urgent and existential threat posed by climate change” and that countries have clear legal responsibilities to limit warming to 1.5C.

Climate activists are thrilled — particularly those from Vanuatu and other Pacific island countries who campaigned long and hard to get the ICJ to clarify both the obligations of states and the legal consequences for those who cause significant harm to the environment. After considering a record-breaking 91 written statements and 62 written comments, the resulting opinion is a broad-ranging 140-page document that has been heralded as a “milestone moment for climate justice.” Although nothing is legally binding, the principles set forth will be used and interpreted in rulings, both domestic and international, all around the world.