An important development for the global community: The United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) has recognized the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a distinct human right, reports un.org. The Court emphasized that climate change is now an urgent and existential—meaning extremely serious—threat to all of humanity.
This new ruling was clearly expressed in the speech of the ICJ President, Yuji Iwasawa: countries must act together against greenhouse gas emissions, since this problem is a result of human activity, and its negative consequences are not limited by state borders.
It should be noted that the Court’s decisions are not legally binding and cannot force countries to take specific actions, but this historic document may play a significant role in shaping the world's future climate policy.
The process that led to this decision began in 2019, when a group of students from the University of the South Pacific in Fiji persuaded the Vanuatu government to file a complaint with the UN. This initiative resulted in a special resolution being adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2023, and in December 2024, hearings were held at the International Court. More than 100 countries and 12 international organizations presented their views during the hearings.
Other news: at the beginning of July, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights also ruled that states must take all measures to protect people’s right to a stable climate.
In conclusion, after this historic decision by the UN International Court, a new, comprehensive, and human rights-based approach to climate issues is expected to gain strength in the global political and legal arena. Experts believe this step may open a new chapter for the future of all humanity.
Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
