US and China Oppose Legal Accountability for Climate Crisis at ICJ Hearing

Island nations push for binding obligations on top polluters as the International Court of Justice considers new climate guidelines.

The US and China, the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters, argued at the ICJ that existing agreements like the Paris Agreement should remain the framework for addressing climate change.
Vanuatu and other vulnerable nations are urging the ICJ to hold major polluters legally accountable for emissions and provide compensation for climate-related damages.
US State Department legal adviser Margaret Taylor stated that any new legal obligations should align with current treaties, rejecting calls for historical accountability or reparations.
More than 100 countries and organizations are participating in the ICJ hearings, which aim to clarify states' legal responsibilities in combating climate change.
Although ICJ advisory opinions are non-binding, they carry significant influence and could shape future climate litigation and international negotiations.