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A Watershed Moment in Climate Justice
The Statesman Bhubaneswar
|August 15, 2025
On July 23, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed down an advisory opinion (AO) on the obligation of states regarding climate change.
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The decision is considered a big victory for humanity, strengthening belief in the international environmental rule of law. Initially led by Vanuatu and later co-sponsored by 132 states, the issue was discussed at the UN General Assembly, following which it unanimously sent the reference (resolution 77/276, March 29, 2023) to the ICJ.
In the referral, the UNGA asked two questions: a) What are the obligations of the states under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, for present and future generations? And, (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?
This story is from the August 15, 2025 edition of The Statesman Bhubaneswar.
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