ICJ says climate change an ‘existential threat’, States legally bound to act
NEW DELHI, Jul 24 (PTI): In a historic development, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared that climate change constitutes an “urgent, existential threat” and that states have binding legal obligations to address it.
The court’s first-ever advisory opinion on climate change, unanimously adopted by all 15 judges, provides unprecedented clarity on the responsibilities of nations under international law and paves the way for a wave of climate litigation worldwide.
The ICJ on Wednesday ruled that states must take all necessary steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, halt fossil fuel expansion and provide reparations to vulnerable countries suffering climate-related harm.
