The General Assembly of the United Nations(UN) adopted this Wednesday by consensus a “historic” resolution to ask for the opinion of the international justice about the “obligations” of states in matters of struggle against him climate change.
With the adoption of this resolution sponsored by more than 130 states, the International Court of Justice (CIJ) will have to give its opinion on “the obligations incumbent on states” in the protection of the climate system “for present and future generations”. “An unprecedented challenge for civilization,” says the text.
“Together, they are writing history,” said the UN Secretary General, Anthony Guterresto the delegates when estimating that although it is not binding, the opinion of the judicial body of the UN could help the leaders of the planet to “take the bravest and strongest climate action that the world so badly needs.”
It is a “clear and strong message not only throughout the world but also for the future, that on this day, the peoples of the United Nations (…) have decided put aside your differences and work together to face the main challenge of our timeglobal warming,” said the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Ishmael Kalsakauwhose archipelago was hit by two powerful cyclones in the space of a few days.
Climate change
A week ago, UN climate experts warned that warming will increase +1.5º as early as 2030-2035compared to the industrial age, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement. A reminder of the extreme urgency to act during this decade to guarantee a “livable future” for humanity.
As the national commitments of states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are not binding under the Paris Agreement, the resolution urges the use of other instruments, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“This resolution puts human rights and equality between generations on climate change at the center – two key elements generally absent from the mainstream discourse”Shaina Sadai, of the Union of Concerned Scientists think tank, said as the European Court of Human Rights is holding a hearing on a first climate lawsuit against France and Switzerland.
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international commitment
“Describing (the resolution) as the most important advance globally since the Paris Agreement seems accurate,” he added, as it is an “incredibly important step” as it can serve as a “guide” for national courts around the world. , who increasingly have to face more appeals against the states.
Although ICJ opinions are not binding, they carry significant legal and moral weight, which is often taken into account by national courts.
Source: Ambito
