The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ highest judicial body, has delivered a groundbreaking advisory opinion on July 23, 2025, declaring that states have binding legal obligations under international law to curb greenhouse gas emissions and safeguard the global climate system.
The court emphasized that climate change poses an existential threat to all forms of life and the health of the planet, making urgent climate action not just a policy choice but a legal duty for all countries.
This landmark ruling affirms that states must act with the highest possible ambition to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, and hold both governments and private actors accountable for emissions within their jurisdictions.
The ICJ also clarified that the failure to take sufficient climate action—including ongoing fossil fuel production and subsidies—may constitute an internationally wrongful act, potentially exposing states to legal consequences such as reparations or compensation to affected nations.
The court linked environmental protection directly to human rights, affirming a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a fundamental human right essential to the enjoyment of other rights.
This decision provides a powerful tool for vulnerable countries, especially small island states and frontline communities, to seek justice and compel stronger climate policies through litigation and international cooperation.
While advisory in nature and not directly enforceable, the ruling carries significant legal and political influence and is expected to accelerate climate litigation globally, compelling nations to urgently phase out fossil fuels, reduce emissions, and fulfill financial support obligations to developing countries for climate mitigation and adaptation.
This historic opinion marks a pivotal shift in international environmental law and climate justice, elevating global accountability in the fight against climate change.