The International Court of Justice (ICJ) acknowledged that climate change is an urgent threat and also considers a clean and stable environment as a human right. ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa noted that cooperation among countries in combating climate change is essential, as greenhouse gas emissions negatively impact the environment and arise from human activities. This information was published in Glavkom based on data from UN News.
Although the ICJ ruling is not binding for countries, experts believe it could influence future policy on the issue of climate change. The court's decision came as part of a campaign initiated by students of the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, who persuaded the government of Vanuatu to file a complaint with the UN in 2019. The initiative culminated in the International Court's decision in 2024 after hearings on this matter.
Positive Changes in Policy and Legislation
In early July, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights also endorsed the idea that individuals have the right to a stable climate, and governments must make efforts to ensure that. Furthermore, the European Commission proposed changes to the Climate Law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040. Global climate change is already causing significant price increases for food worldwide, as confirmed by a study from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.
A Ukrainian journalist noted that the international community recognizes the need to act decisively on climate change. The International Court's ruling and other steps in this direction indicate a growing attention to the issue and an intention to find real solutions to improve the situation.