UN’s adoption of climate resolution, a historical victory for climate justice
(VOVWORLD) - The UN General Assembly on Wednesday adopted a landmark resolution asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to lay out nations' obligations for protecting Earth's climate. The resolution was hailed as an "historic victory for climate justice".
The resolution, adopted by 132 of the 193 UN member states, shows the strong support of the international community for climate action. This is the first time the International Court of Justice has provided a legal opinion on climate change.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared that countries are making history together and emphasized that although the advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice are not legally binding, it’ll support the General Assembly and member countries to take stronger and more drastic actions to meet the needs of the fight against climate change.
Initiated by Vanuatu and a core group of 18 countries, including Vietnam, the resolution asks the ICJ, the highest international legal body of the UN, to comment on the obligations of member states to combat climate change.
This resolution asks the ICJ to clarify the obligations of states under international law to safeguard the climate system. Although the opinion of the ICJ is not binding in domestic courts, the establishment of international legal rules can have implications for judges and governments.