S'pore submits statement to ICJ on protecting people from climate change

World’s top court is set to give first-ever opinion on states’ legal obligations on issue

- Shabana Begum

Nearly a year after it was announced that the world's top court will give its opinion on the legal obligations of states to protect their people from climate change, several countries have submitted their written statements to kick off the judiciary process, including Singapore.

The Republic submitted on March 20 two days before the deadline its written statement on the matter to the United Nations' International Court of Justice (ICJ), said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on March 22.

The UN General Assembly adopted in March 2023 a resolution by the nation of Vanuatu to ask the ICJ to clarify the obligations of big polluters, since human rights of those affected by greenhouse gas emissions are impacted.

Singapore was among 18 nations that helped lead this initiative.

The ICJ, also called the World Court, will give an advisory opinion, which is non-binding, on the issue of climate change for the first time in its history.

"Like other low-lying small island developing states, Singapore is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels," MFA said.