By: Bernadette Carreon
The United Nations Secretary General hailed the work of” young Pacific leaders for the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which obligates countries to protect the global climate system.
“It made clear that States are obliged to protect the global climate system, that climate change is a human rights issue. And that the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius must guide climate policies, in accordance with the Paris Agreement. We have young Pacific Islanders to thank for this landmark victory. ‘
Secretary General António Guterres praised the Pacific youth’s work in his remarks at the Amnesty International Assembly last Friday.
In September 2021, the Pacific Island State of Vanuatu sought an advisory opinion from the Court on climate change. This initiative was inspired by the youth group Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change, which underscored the need to act to address climate change, particularly in small island States.
Last week, the ICJ ruled that States must protect the environment from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and act with due diligence and cooperation to fulfill this obligation.
This includes the obligation under the Paris Agreement on climate change to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Guterres said those gains must be built “ by insisting on legal accountability and demanding climate justice. That means the biggest economies and emitters leading an urgent global reduction in emissions, and a just transition away from fossil fuels.”