The International Court of Justice has issued a historic advisory opinion: all states are obliged to protect the climate and bear legal responsibility for damage caused. Countries affected by climate harm can now seek compensation if that damage is linked to the actions of other states.
The ruling followed years of efforts by small island states such as Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Barbados and others, which are especially vulnerable to rising sea levels and ecosystem destruction. The court stressed that protecting the climate is not a matter of political will, but a legal duty.
Of particular significance is the confirmation of the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities”: states with larger historical emissions should make a greater contribution to fighting climate change and may be required to compensate for damage.
Although the opinion is advisory in nature, it could change international law and the practice of future lawsuits. For small countries, it is an important legal tool; for the largest polluters, it is a signal that responsibility for the planet’s future is not only moral, but also legal.
