Live Broadcast of the ICJ’s Advisory Proceedings on Climate Change

Come along to watch the live broadcast of the opening of the advisory proceedings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on climate change, focused on the arguments of Vanuatu and Melanesian Spearhead Group.

The advisory opinion given by the Court after its two-week hearing is expected to set the agenda for general international law on climate change and energy transition, above and beyond the diplomatic agenda of the climate COPs.

Students with an interest in international law, oral advocacy, and/or environmental issues are particularly encouraged to drop in at any time.

By way of background, on 29 March 2023, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution by consensus (A/RES/77/276), led by Vanuatu and over 100 co-sponsors on the original initiative of Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change. The UNGA thereby requested the ICJ to give an advisory opinion on the following questions:

1. What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for States and for present and future generations?
2. What are the legal consequences under these obligations for States where they, by their acts and omissions, have caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment, with respect to:

(a) States, including small island developing States (SIDS), which, due to their geographical circumstances and level of development, are injured or specially affected by, or are particularly vulnerable to, the adverse effects of climate change?

(b) Peoples and individuals of the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change?