In the triptych of inspiring advisory opinions by international courts and tribunals (see here, here, and here), the third iteration by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) did not disappoint. Its unanimous advisory opinion on climate change constitutes a landmark decision that will be with us for many years. This […]
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The International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s recent advisory opinion on climate change represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of international climate law. By affirming that States can incur legal responsibility for failing to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the ICJ brought long-standing principles of State responsibility into sharper focus […]
The International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s release of its Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States with Respect to Climate Change marks a watershed moment, not just because of what the court says about climate obligations, but also because of how it says it. In responding to the legal question posed […]
Military activities and armed conflicts are a growing climate liability. Along with thousands of deaths, twelve months of war in Ukraine resulted in around 120 million tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – matching Belgium’s emissions over the same period. The climate footprint of the first fifteen months of Israel’s […]
After the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its advisory opinion on Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change, many observers were quick to conclude that it “[opens] the door to a cascade of lawsuits” (Politico). The opinion is indeed an important confirmation that the rules of State responsibility […]
Private actors are still expanding fossil fuel exploration and production while states continue to enable and even encourage such activities by granting subsidies, licences, and legal protection. This happens even though most fossil fuels must clearly stay in the ground if the Paris target of limiting global warming to 1.5˚C […]
In its long-awaited advisory opinion on climate change, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) made a range of landmark findings on States’ obligations to address the climate crisis and the consequences of failing to do so. The pronouncements from the world’s highest court will now serve as immediate authoritative guidance […]
The advisory opinion rendered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 23 July 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the articulation of States’ obligations concerning climate change. While based on broader rules and principles of international law, the opinion foregrounded the United Nations Convention on the Law of the […]