The aftermath of cyclones Judy and Kevin in Vanuatu. Photo: VBTC
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will start hearing submissions in a case brought by Vanuatu on the responsibility of States on climate change in December.
On 29 March, 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to ask the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion on the legal obligations of countries in relation to climate change.
The World Court will hold public hearings where nations and organisations can make statements, starting from 2 December.
Sixty-two written comments have been filed, including from 10 Pacific Island countries and territories, as well as sub-regional, regional and inter-regional groupings such as the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
The International Court of Justice, which has its seat in The Hague,is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Photo: CC BY-SA 4.0/ Velvet
Once all written and oral proceedings wrap up, the 15 ICJ judges will deliberate and eventually issue a non-binding opinion at another public hearing.
This opinion aims to clarify international legal obligations countries have when it comes to safeguarding people from climate change impacts.
The UN resolution was tabled by Vanuatu and a core group of 17 countries, with the support of more than 130.
Then-prime minister Ishmael Kalsakau said at the time he celebrated "with the people of Vanuatu, who are still reeling from the devastation from two back-to-back cyclones [Judy and Kevin...caused by the fossil fuels and greenhouse emissions that they are not responsible for".
