ICJ ruling reinforces India's call for climate justice but raises bar on domestic action

ICF makes clear that countries must pursue climate targets with highest possible ambition’

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The International Court of Justice's landmark advisory opinion that nations have binding legal obligations to address climate change offers legal reinforcement to India's long-standing calls for equity, historical responsibility and climate justice while raising the bar for domestic action, experts said on Thursday.

The United Nations' top court made it clear that countries must pursue their climate targets with the "highest possible ambition" and are expected to progressively enhance them over time.

Issued Wednesday night, the advisory opinion holds that states have binding legal obligations under international law to combat climate change, including protecting people from its harmful effects.

Experts said the ruling is significant for countries like India that have contributed little historically to the climate crisis but face disproportionate impacts.

"This is a landmark ruling. The ICJ has made it unambiguous: climate action is no longer just a political or ethical choice, but a legal obligation," said Hisham Mundol, Chief Advisor, India at Environmental Defense Fund.