ICJ hears landmark climate change case

This week, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) started hearing on the largest case in its 80-year history, brought by several small island nations to hold polluting countries accountable for rising sea levels and global warming.

The two-week ICJ hearing will involve oral statements and input from 99 countries and several intergovernmental organizations, who will make their case in the Hague.

Led by Vanuatu, the landmark case argues that climate change is affecting their survival. 

Wealthy nations like China, India, and the US are blamed for most greenhouse emissions, while vulnerable countries face severe consequences.

The ICJ explores the legal responsibilities and obligations some countries may have to mitigate emissions and protect vulnerable countries from climate change.

The hearing comes on the heels of the UN COP29 summit in November, where nearly 200 countries agreed on a non-binding target that wealthy nations will provide $300 billion annually by 2035 to help poorer nations combat climate change. It still fell short of the $1.3 trillion deemed necessary.

Although the court’s decision will be advisory and non-binding, it could serve as a foundation for future legal actions.