ICJ (International Court of Justice)
On 14 June, 2023 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) authorized IUCN, at its request, to participate in the advisory proceedings on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change.
The United Nations General Assembly requested the ICJ render an opinion on the following questions:
(a) 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 emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHG) for States and for present and future generations?
(b) 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:
(i) States, including, in particular, small island developing States, 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?
(ii) Peoples and individuals of the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change?
WCEL’s Climate Change Law Specialist Group (led by Francesco Sindico and Fabiano de Andrade Correa) have worked on IUCN’s submission. WCEL Chair Christina Voigt, IUCN's lead legal counsel on this advisory opinion, delivered IUCN's written submission on 19 March 2024.
On 15 August 2024, Prof Francesco Sindico, the Co-Chair of the WCEL Climate Change Law Specialist Group, and Edgardo Sobenes presented IUCN’s responses to the written statements of other States and Organisations to the Registrar of the Court.
On 13 December 2024, IUCN delivered its oral statements before the ICJ. During the oral proceedings in The Hague, IUCN was represented by Director General Dr Grethel Aguilar Rojas, Prof Christina Voigt; and Prof Francesco Sindico. The recording to the oral statements can be accessed here.
For more information on this advisory opinion visit:
https://www.icj-cij.org/case/187