Historic ruling bolsters climate justice efforts

The international community has witnessed a pivotal moment with the recent landmark Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding climate change responsibilities. Delivered on 23 July 2025, this Advisory Opinion marks a significant advancement in the protections afforded to climate-impacted communities, imposing heightened obligations on states beyond the existing frameworks of the Paris Agreement.

The decision establishes that all states have a duty to prevent significant environmental harm and must actively cooperate to uphold these responsibilities. One of the most significant findings of this ruling is that the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is now deemed fundamental for the realisation of all other human rights. Additionally, the Court underscored that the principle of intergenerational equity must inform the interpretation of each nation’s climate obligations.

Legal Counsel Danilo Garrido from Greenpeace International expressed optimism about the ruling, asserting that “this is the start of a new era of climate accountability at a global level.” He highlighted the decision as a turning point for climate justice, clarifying the international climate obligations of states and the implications for breaches of these duties. Garrido emphasised that the ruling could lead to new cases aimed at achieving justice for those communities that have contributed the least to climate change but suffer its most severe consequences. He further stated, “the production, consumption and granting of licenses and subsidies for fossil fuels could be breaches of International Law.”

The implications of the ruling extend further, demanding that nations enforce regulations on businesses concerning the harm their emissions might cause, regardless of the geographical location of that harm. Furthermore, the ICJ determined that any violations of climate obligations warrant full reparations, which could involve ceasing damaging practices and providing financial compensation for losses related to climate impacts. This includes addressing the urgency to limit greenhouse gas emissions to within science-based safety thresholds.

Community leaders, such as Flora Vano from Vanuatu, have hailed the decision as a monumental victory. She remarked, “Tonight I'll sleep easier. For the first time, it feels like Justice is not just a dream but a direction.” Vano's statement encapsulates the sense of hope and validation among frontline communities affected by climate crises, noting that the ruling acknowledges their struggles and rights to a future free from climate devastation. She added, “This is a victory not just for us but for every frontline community fighting to be heard. Now, the world must act.”

Earlier this month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights also made significant strides by asserting that governments must undertake “urgent and effective actions” to protect the right to a healthy climate. This concurrent decision reinforces the growing momentum towards prioritising human and ecological rights over industrial interests and reinforces the obligation of corporations in relation to their environmental impacts.

As part of a broader movement towards climate accountability, the ICJ decision adds weight to the Polluters Pay Pact. This global coalition consists of over 200,000 individuals on the frontlines of climate disasters, alongside humanitarian groups, political leaders, and NGOs, including Greenpeace International, advocating for a commitment from governments to ensure that fossil fuel corporations bear the financial burden for the damage they inflict on communities and the environment.