Vepaiamele is a young activist is taking on the defining challenge of our lifetime. Photo: Supplied / Conor Ashleigh/ Save the Children
It is Vepaiamele's 16th birthday, but she is not having a party. Today she will be at the World Court.
Vepaiamele is part of Vanuatu's delegation to The Hague - and will be representing the voice of young people in the Pacific.
It is a landmark case, beginning five years ago with a group of law students studying in Vanuatu discussing how they could help bring about climate action.
Now, for the first time, the 15 judges of the International Court of Justice have been requested to give an advisory opinion on the obligations of states in respect of climate change.
Between 2 and 13 December, the International Court of Justice will be holding public hearings with 98 states and 12 international organisations - including New Zealand - having expressed their intention to participate in the proceedings.
New Zealand will speak on 9 December but Climate Change Minister Simon Watts told RNZ he did not comment on matters before the court.
It comes just weeks after a COP29 agreement of a US$300 billion annual climate finance goal failed the Pacific - falling drastically short of addressing the escalating climate crisis - people are hoping the court will deliver justice.
And while Vepaiamele would prefer to celebrate her birthday at home with her friends and family, she felt she had to go to ensure children's voices were heard. Especially children in Vanuatu, where climate change is wreaking havoc on the island nation.
"As a young Ni-Vanuatu girl, I feel the effects of climate change every day of every year," she said.
"I've experienced many cyclones. It can be kind of terrifying sometimes, especially the really strong ones.
"Every cyclone, our classrooms are destroyed, our homes are flattened to the ground, and hospitals and communication towers are ripped apart. And then there's also the mental health impacts, and we don't really talk about it that much, but it can really cause anxiety in children and young people."
Vepaiamele at home. Photo: Supplied / Conor Ashleigh/ Save the Children
At home, she is part of Save the Children's NextGen Youth Ambassador initiative - who have funded her trip to the Netherlands. She is also an advocate for women's rights and climate action in Vanuatu, inspired by her mother - the first female Ni-Vanuatu judge - and her grandmother - a poet and gender equality advocate
"I really hope that the work I do now - the messages I'm trying to spread - can have an impact," Vepiamele said.
The oral proceedings begin on Monday, with Vepaiamele up first as part of the Vanuatu and Melanesian Spearhead Group.
"I hope the outcome is in our favour," she said.
"It's an advisory opinion, so it's not legally binding, but I really hope that it paves the way for more discussion and dialogue around climate change and around what the responsibilities are for huge carbon-emitting countries in the world."
Save the Children Vanuatu country director Polly Banks called it a historic juncture in international law and climate justice.
"The hearing before the court goes to questions about the efficacy, equity and fairness of the current responses to climate change, which are particularly relevant for children, who have contributed the least to climate change but will be most affected by its consequences," she said.
Vepaiamele agreed, and told Morning Report children around the world - especially in the Pacific, were disproportionately affected by climate change.
"It's our future that's in jeopardy," she said.
"And so we should definitely have a voice in decision-making, and these big discussions on climate change and climate justice."
Vepaiamele hoped to inspire other young people to use their voice and take action.
"I think it's important to understand if you're a young person concerned about these issues that your voice does matter. You don't have to wait for an opportunity to speak up. You can look for opportunities yourself or take up an opportunity and just spread your message and know that it does matter and your voice does matter."
