In a landmark, unanimous advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice found that a state's violation of its legal climate obligations was a 'wrongful' act, and greatly affected countries could sue for 'reparations.

The opinion of the International Court of Justice is seen by some as a turning point in international climate law, with judges finding that states affected by global warming could be eligible for reparations.

On July, 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed down its long-awaited Advisory Opinion on the legal obligations of States in relation to climate change.

The court president judge Yuji Iwasawa said during last week’s ruling that countries’ failure to take appropriate action to protect the climate, and meet the “stringent obligations” placed on them by climate treaties such as the Paris Agreement, was a breach of international law.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a unanimous opinion on July 23, 2025, that climate change is "an existential problem of planetary proportions that imperils all forms of life and the very health of our planet.

In a historic advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice ruled that access to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a fundamental human right.

The United Nations’ top court in a landmark advisory opinion says countries could be in violation of international law if they fail to take measures to protect the planet from climate change, and nations harmed by its effects could be entitled to reparations.

The International Court of Justice’s ruling that countries have a legal duty to curb climate change was the result of a yearslong campaign that began with university students.