“International Justice” begins examining the issue of climate change

Over the next two weeks, 98 countries and 12 organizations will begin testifying in a major climate change case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the main judicial body of the United Nations..

The case focuses on the impact of climate change on particularly vulnerable countries, such as the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, which initiated the case, as the country is increasingly threatened by rising sea levels and fears that the human rights of residents may be at stake..

The International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion is not expected to be issued until after the summer of 2025 at the earliest.

The court must answer two questions: What are the obligations of UN member states to protect other member states and future generations from catastrophic climate change? And what are the legal consequences of member states’ inaction?.