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ICJ Declares Climate Action a Binding Legal Obligation for States

Rooted in human rights, the advisory opinion could reshape climate policy worldwide

Protesta ecologista ante el tribunal de La Haya.
El ministro de Cambio Climático de Vanuatu, Ralph Regenvanu, pronuncia un discurso durante una manifestación previa a la sesión de la Corte Internacional de Justicia (CIJ) encargada de emitir la primera Opinión Consultiva (OC) sobre las obligaciones legales de los Estados para abordar el cambio climático, en La Haya, el 23 de julio de 2025.
Retrato de familia de los miembros de la plataforma Island Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC).
El tribunal de la ONU pronunciará mañana su opinión histórica sobre la crisis climática

Overview

  • The ICJ issued a unanimous advisory opinion today ruling that states have a legal duty under international law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect citizens from climate-related harms.
  • For the first time the court anchored climate obligations in human rights, citing the right to life of present and future generations and defining climate change as an existential risk.
  • The opinion requires emission reduction plans to reflect the best available science and mandates cooperation among states to limit global temperature rise.
  • Initiated by 27 Pacific Island law students and presented by Vanuatu, the case was requested by the UN General Assembly in March 2023 with support from over 130 countries.
  • Although advisory opinions are non-binding, legal experts say the ruling is likely to influence domestic climate litigation, policy reforms, and future multilateral negotiations.