Historic ICJ Climate Case Opens in The Hague
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(December 2, 2024) – Public hearings for the International Court of Justice case on the ‘Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change‘ opened today with powerful statements from Vanuatu and the Melanesian Spearhead Group, the leading countries in this groundbreaking case. They were followed today by another nine of the 100 countries that have requested to present at the court.
The court has been requested, by UN General Assembly Resolution 77/276, to decide:
- What are the obligations of 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 States and for present and future generations?
- 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, with respect to:
(i) States, including, in particular, small island developing States, which due to their geographical circumstances and level of development, are injured or specially affected by or are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change?
(ii) Peoples and individuals of the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change?”
The public hearings, which can be watched live on the ICJ webstream, will continue until December 13.
For or Against the Climate?
The legal representative for Saudi Arabia speaking in the court today against legal constraints on fossil fuels, and disputing the human right to a sustainable climate. In contrast, the legal representative from Antigua-Barbuda spoke powerfully in the court in support of the climate, and for the affirmation and implementation of legal obligations to cut fossil fuel production and emissions in order to protect the climate for current and future generations.
The campaign to get this historic case on climate change into the ICJ has been coordinated by World Youth for Climate Justice. They were supported in the early stages of their campaign by the Peace, nuclear Abolition and Climate Engaged Youth (PACEY) Award, which they won in 2021 (See PACEY Award Winners)
Nominations opened today for the 2025 PACEY Award. If you know of an inspiring youth project on peace, nuclear abolition of climate change, or one that has potential to make a difference, we invite you to nominate it for the 2025 PACEY Award (see below for more information).
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Peace, nuclear Abolition and Climate Engaged Youth (PACEY) Award.
Do you know of a youth project that addresses peace, nuclear disarmament and/or climate issues and that could be boosted by a prestigious award with €5000 in prize money to help it succeed? If so, we encourage you to nominate it for the 2025 PACEY Award.
The award provides three (3) prizes of €5000 each: one prize in the category of European Youth Project and two prizes in the category of Beyond Europe Youth Project. The award is sponsored by the Basel Peace Office, the Presidential Department of the Canton of Basel-Stadt and the Reformed Evangelical Church of Basel-Stadt.
Nominations are easy. And if you are young and involved in such a project, you can nominate it yourself. The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2024
