UN Court to Hold Landmark Climate Change Hearings in December

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has announced that public hearings for a groundbreaking climate change case will commence on December 2, 2024. This landmark case, initiated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, seeks a non-binding advisory opinion on the obligations of states concerning climate change under international law.

The ICJ, established in 1945 as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has received written comments from 62 nations and organizations related to 91 previously submitted statements. These documents, currently confidential, may be made public when the hearings begin.

The court's panel of 15 judges, elected for nine-year terms, will address two crucial questions:

• What are countries' obligations under international law to protect the climate and environment from human-caused greenhouse gas emissions?
• What are the legal consequences for governments whose actions or inactions have significantly harmed the climate and environment?

The second question specifically references small island developing states, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. It also considers the effects on present and future generations, highlighting the concept of intergenerational equity in environmental law.

The ICJ's decision to take on this case reflects the growing global concern over climate change and the increasing trend of climate-related litigation worldwide. In recent years, several significant rulings have emerged from various courts and tribunals:

• In May 2024, a UN tribunal on maritime law declared that carbon emissions qualify as marine pollution, requiring countries to take mitigation and adaptation measures.
• In April 2024, Europe's highest human rights court ruled that countries must better protect their citizens from climate change consequences.
• In 2019, the Dutch Supreme Court upheld a landmark judgment stating that protection from climate change effects is a human right.

These rulings demonstrate the evolving legal landscape surrounding climate change and the increasing recognition of its impacts on human rights and environmental protection.

The ICJ's advisory opinion, while non-binding, is expected to carry significant legal weight and potentially influence future climate policies and litigation. The court's decision to address this issue aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, which aims to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

As the world awaits the outcome of these hearings, the case underscores the critical role of international law in addressing global environmental challenges. The precautionary principle, a key concept in international environmental law, may play a crucial role in the court's deliberations.

"I hope the opinion will encourage nations to take the bolder and stronger climate action that our world so desperately needs."

The ICJ's involvement in this case marks a significant step in the global effort to combat climate change through legal means. As the court prepares to hear arguments from various nations and organizations, the international community eagerly anticipates the potential impact of this advisory opinion on future climate action and policy.