The United Nations' top court has declared that failing to curb emissions violates international law, marking a historic moment for global climate justice and setting the stage for future legal action against polluting states.
In a landmark advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Wednesday that countries must act collectively and ambitiously to address the 'urgent and existential threat' of climate change.
The court stated that under international law, the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is essential for the enjoyment of other human rights.
“Greenhouse gas emissions are unequivocally caused by human activities which are not territorially limited,” said Judge Yuji Iwasawa as he read the court’s opinion in The Hague.
He emphasized that nations are obligated to cooperate and implement “concrete emission reduction targets,” in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to below 1.5°C.
Though the opinion is non-binding, legal experts see it as a powerful tool for future environmental litigation. Danilo Garrido of Greenpeace called it “the start of a new era of climate accountability at a global level.”
The case, initiated by the UN General Assembly after lobbying from Vanuatu and backed by over 130 nations, asked the ICJ to clarify states’ legal duties on emissions and consequences for climate inaction.
While small island and developing nations called for binding rules and financial support, wealthier states pointed to existing, largely non-binding agreements like the Paris Accord.
With nearly 3,000 climate lawsuits worldwide and global warming on track to exceed 3°C by 2100, campaigners say the ruling reinforces legal grounds for holding countries and corporations accountable.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan outlined Türkiye’s efforts to strengthen ties with Beijing while also pushing forward on global peace and r...
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and his government’s handling of borrowing costs during a heated pa...
The United Arab Emirates warned Israel on Wednesday that any annexation of the West Bank would be a red line for Abu Dhabi, threatening to undermine t...
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy has urged United Nations agencies and humanitarian organisations to speed up the delivery of aid to survivors of t...
Russia launched a large-scale overnight air attack on Ukraine on September 3, injuring at least four railway workers and damaging key infrastructure, ...
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and his government’s handling of borrowing costs during a heated parliament session on Wednesday, 3 September, facing sharp attacks from opposition leader Kemi Badenoch.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan outlined Türkiye’s efforts to strengthen ties with Beijing while also pushing forward on global peace and regional stability.
The United Arab Emirates warned Israel on Wednesday that any annexation of the West Bank would be a red line for Abu Dhabi, threatening to undermine the Abraham Accords that normalised ties between the two states.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy has urged United Nations agencies and humanitarian organisations to speed up the delivery of aid to survivors of the recent earthquakes that struck several eastern provinces.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Pakistan’s eastern towns of Chiniot and Hafizabad are at risk of devastating floods if an irrigation barrage on a major upstream river collapses after torrential rains pushed it beyond capacity, officials warned on Thursday.
Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain have signed an agreement with China to jointly develop a $220 million solar energy project.
A deadly landslide triggered by heavy rain struck a major Hindu pilgrimage route in Jammu, killing at least 30 people and disrupting communication across the region.
Wind farm developer Orsted's plan to raise much-needed capital is at risk following a U.S. order to halt construction of a near-complete project, and the Danish group's share price could come under pressure on Monday, analysts said.
Brazil’s government has ruled out subsidising hotel costs for delegates attending the COP30 climate summit in Belém this November, despite growing concerns over soaring accommodation prices.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment