The hague: In a historic advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) emphasized the urgent need for countries to address the existential threat posed by climate change. The court stated that effective cooperation and firm commitments are necessary to reduce emissions and combat the impact of climate change.
According to Kuwait News Agency, ICJ President Judge Yuji Iwasawa delivered the court's opinion, highlighting that greenhouse gas emissions are a result of human activities that transcend territorial boundaries. Iwasawa urged countries to cooperate in achieving concrete emission reduction targets and noted the severe and far-reaching consequences of climate change, which impact both natural ecosystems and human populations. He stressed the importance of national climate plans being ambitious and aligned with the 2015 Paris Agreement, aiming to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Iwasawa further explained that climate change treaties impose stringent obligations on states, and non-compliance constitutes a breach of international law. He emphasized that the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is fundamental for the enjoyment of other human rights. Although the advisory opinion is not legally binding, it carries substantial political and legal influence and is expected to impact future climate litigation worldwide.
The United Nations General Assembly had tasked the ICJ with examining states' obligations under international law concerning climate protection and the legal consequences for states whose emissions harm the climate system, particularly affecting low-lying and island states threatened by rising sea levels.