Climate Change and Reparations: Introduction to the Blog Symposium

As the realities of climate change become increasingly dire, communities worldwide face devastating impacts, from rising sea levels to extreme weather events, disproportionately affecting those who have contributed the least to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this context, impacted individuals and communities are increasingly seeking recourse in international and regional […]

The Endangerment Finding: The Local Perspective Matters Right Now (Template Comment Letter Linked)

[Here and at the end of this post, a template comment letter is linked for local governments to adapt for their own comments in the Endangerment Finding rule making process.] On August 1, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its proposed repeal of the “Endangerment Finding,” the scientific […]

Closing the Silences: Using the ICJ’s Interpretive Method to Read Its Climate Opinion

The International Court of Justice’s (ICJ’s) Advisory Opinion on Climate Change arrived with force. Given its far-reaching implications, there is no doubt that the opinion now will be subject to conflicting interpretations. In this post, I highlight the interpretive compass that the opinion supplies to those who will now interpret […]

Can Africa Still Drill? What the ICJ Climate Opinion Means for Oil and Gas Exploration in Africa

In July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) adopted its advisory opinion on climate change. While the ICJ found that any State suffering from climate change can bring charges against others for their contribution to climate change, the opinion does not distinguish between the obligations of developed and developing […]

State Anti-ESG Movement Evolves to Target Investor Access

With anti-ESG forces ascendant in national government, and federal agencies neglecting or outright reversing even modest regulatory efforts to address climate risks, fossil-fuel industry supporters have expanded their agenda at the state level. Through 100+ statehouse bills introduced this year, the anti-ESG agenda has moved beyond an initial targeting of […]

Statehood in the Climate Crisis: The ICJ’s Climate Advisory Opinion and the Presumption of State Continuity

More than two years after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution 77/276, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its highly anticipated Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change on 23 July 2025. The ICJ was unanimous in its findings that states have […]

Is Montevideo Sinking? “Disappearing” States and De-territorialized Statehood Following the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Climate Change

The International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) recent advisory opinion on climate change is a landmark in the development of international law. In this post, we focus on a short section of the opinion that may signal a fundamental shift in how international law conceives of statehood. We aim to decipher […]

When Custom Binds All States: Reflections on Customary International Law in the ICJ Climate Advisory Opinion

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 […]