Taking the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change a Leap Forward: UN General Assembly Adopts Landmark Resolution With Large Majority

Building on the Court’s findings, the resolution calls on states to take specific energy-related action to meet the 1.5°C target in line with science (see figure below).  The resolution also urges states to strengthen cooperative efforts to address the climate crisis.  States should therefore welcome it as a call to reinvigorate cooperation across a range of climate-related policy areas, including within the climate and trade regimes.

Hailing the resolution as  a “powerful affirmation” of international law, climate justice, science, and states’ responsibility to protect people from the climate crisis, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized  that “[t]hose least responsible for climate change are paying the highest price,” and called on the world to end this injustice.

IGIR’s sustainability research is committed to supporting states and other stakeholders in responding to this urgent call to action by providing science-based input for an inclusive energy and climate transition.