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Climate change, International Court of Justice and ICJ

Climate change goes to court: What the ICJ just told the world
In my opinion By Prof Daniella Tilbury On 23 July 2025, something quietly historic happened in The Hague: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its long-awaited Advisory Opinion on climate change.
What the World Court’s latest climate change ruling means for the U.S.
The court, created as part of the United Nations in 1945, affirmed that countries must uphold existing international laws related to climate change and, if they fail to act, could be held responsible for damage to communities and the environment. The opinion opens a door for future claims by countries seeking reparations for climate-related harm.
The ICJ’s climate ruling: Is inaction on climate change now a legal liability?
The Court’s advisory opinion affirms that inadequate action on climate change may violate international law. Its findings could shape the contours of debate at COP30.
Countries to be held accountable for climate change disruptions - ICJ
The world’s highest court went on to state in its decision that recognising the “urgent and existential threat” currently facing the world, those harmed by human-caused climate change may be entitled to “reparations”.
Climate change jurisprudence: The ICJ ruling’s implications for Australia
Vanuatu’s ICJ win has rewritten the rulebook, and Australia’s $14.5 billion fossil subsidies may now come with legal strings attached.
UN top court: Failure to act against climate change could violate international law
The top court of the United Nations on Wednesday declared that countries have an obligation to combat climate change — and that a failure to do so could constitute a violation of international
The World Court just ruled countries can be held liable for climate change damage – what does that mean for the US?
The court affirmed that all countries have a legal duty under customary international law, which refers to universal rules that arise from common practices among states, to preven
World Court Opinion: Protection From Climate Change Is A Human Right
The International Court of Justice issues an advisory opinion that found that a clean, health, and sustainable environment is a human right under international law.
ICJ Climate Change Opinion Raises Constitutionality Question Of U.S. Joining Paris Agreement
An opinion by the World Court finds new legal requirements in the Paris Agreement, raising legal questions about the U.S.
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Global court demands nations act on climate pollution obligations
The court’s statement, which described the climate crisis as a global threat to all forms of life, outlined that countries are legally required to reduce climate pollution under international law.
Why the ICJ’s advisory opinion on climate change opens the window for a new, restorative vision of environmental law in India
A profound thread runs through the judgment and the separate opinion of one of the judges: that biodiversity is not merely a ...
The ICJ Rules That Failing to Combat Climate Change Could Violate International Law
In a landmark ruling, the International Court of Justice declared that failure to act on climate change can be an ...
ICJ Climate Ruling Is a Call For Unity, Not Lawsuits
The International Court of Justice has handed down its unanimous opinion on climate change. It affirms what so many of us ...