New York, United States, 21 Could 2026 — The United Nations Normal Meeting voted with overwhelming assist to undertake a landmark decision led by Vanuatu and 12 different international locations which is able to advance implementation of the Worldwide Court docket of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on local weather change and state duty, right now.
The decision handed with 141 votes in favour, 8 towards and 28 abstentions. Australia voted in favour of the decision, welcoming the landmark ICJ advisory opinion and its constructive position in advancing international local weather motion, though stopped wanting co-sponsoring the decision.
The end result formally reaffirms the Court docket’s findings and calls on governments to align their insurance policies with their authorized obligations to restrict international warming to 1.5°C – together with by delivering deep, speedy and sustained emissions cuts, regulating fossil gas firms, and defending the appropriate to a wholesome surroundings. The decision additionally requests the UN Secretary-Normal submit a report in 2027 on how you can advance compliance with all obligations in relation to the Court docket’s findings – making certain that stress and scrutiny on governments might be sustained to ship their authorized obligations.[1]
Shiva Gounden, Head of Pacific, Greenpeace Australia Pacific mentioned: “The world has adopted the Pacific’s lead. Vanuatu and Pacific nations have as soon as once more formed the worldwide local weather agenda, turning the voices of frontline communities into worldwide motion.
“Whereas it’s optimistic that Australia voted in favour of the decision, Australia ought to have gone a lot additional to face with its Pacific household by co-sponsoring the decision. This may have been a extra real present of assist for Pacific management as Australia prepares to preside over COP31 negotiations, the place it has promised to centre Pacific wants and priorities.
“Governments can not ignore their authorized obligations whereas backing the enlargement of the fossil gas business. Pacific communities have fought for this second as a result of we’re already residing with the results of the local weather disaster, and we are going to proceed combating till there’s a quick, truthful and funded phase-out of fossil fuels. This end result is for the realisation of human rights of present and future generations to expertise a lifetime of dignity and to face proudly on the righteous legacies of the previous.”
In July 2025, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion outlining that states have authorized obligations beneath worldwide regulation to take pressing, equitable motion to guard the local weather system, together with by way of emissions discount, worldwide cooperation, holding company polluters to account, and stopping local weather hurt.[2]
The UNGA decision is predicted to strengthen the political and authorized weight of the Advisory Opinion throughout worldwide negotiations, nationwide policymaking, and local weather litigation, whereas growing stress on governments to align their actions with their obligation to restrict international warming to 1.5°C.
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Notes
[1] Greenpeace Media assertion: World’s highest court docket delivers historic protections for climate-impacted communities
[2] A Simply Transition Away from Fossil Fuels: Greenpeace Coverage Briefing
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