National Climate Policies

The ICJ judges also took aim at weak climate policies in a decision that could strengthen the hands of nations calling for stronger climate action at UN climate talks.

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obligations the court laid out," Ms Lennon noted.

NATIONAL CLIMATE POLICIES

The judges made clear that states' climate plans, called nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, must be of the highest ambition and aimed to limit warming to 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial levels, a key limit backed by scientific research.

Under the Paris pact, nations must submit updated and more ambitious NDCs every five years. In 2025, states must submit NDCs up till 2035. So far, only about 30 states, including Singapore, out of nearly 200, have done so.

"Given the assessments of NDCs to date, many states may, in fact, have to update their climate policies and then implement them. The court was clear - merely having an NDC is not enough," said Ms Lennon.

MORAL WEIGHT Analysts say the ICJ opinion, while not legally binding, carries strong moral authority and will inform how national and international courts interpret laws, including those regarding negligence and harm caused to other states.

It also raises the very real possibility of reparations to poorer nations for climate harms.