After adopting the resolution, the UN Supreme Court will assess the countries' climate commitments

The International Court of Justice will assess the legal obligations of states to protect current and future generations from climate change after countries backed a resolution at the UN yesterday, writes the Financial Times. The paper continues: "An advisory opinion from the [upcoming] International Court of Justice, the UN's highest legal body, could increase the risk of litigation for countries that fail to comply with existing international laws and treaties, while providing guidance to governments on what they must do to protect human rights and the environment against damage caused by climate change. Countries approved the resolution by consensus without a vote after a years-long campaign led by Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation threatened by rising sea levels. More than 100 countries supported the resolution, but the US and China – the world's two biggest annual emitters – did not.” The Guardian reports that the UN resolution was hailed as a “historic victory for climate justice”. Quoting Ishmael Kalsakau, Prime Minister of Vanuatu: “Today we witnessed a climate justice victory of epic proportions. Today's historic resolution marks the beginning of a new era of multilateral climate cooperation that is more focused on upholding the principles of international law and an era that puts human rights and intergenerational justice at the forefront of climate decision-making." BBC News explains that "The International Court of Justice will now prepare an advisory opinion that could be cited in climate court cases," adding: "The idea of a legal opinion was originally proposed by law students in Fiji four years ago... The resolution won the support of many countries because it was carefully drafted to avoid blaming countries such as USA and China, which have contributed the most to the greenhouse gases that increase temperatures. Experts say that while the International Court of Justice's legal opinion will not be binding, it could then be cited in climate-related court cases around the world." Politico says Vanuatu's move "startled the U.S. and could set off a cascade of lawsuits around the world." The New York Times claims that "a small Pacific island nation has scored a diplomatic victory that may elude global powers." The Climate Home News portal also reports on the story.

Camilla Hodgson, Financial Times, Carbon Brief