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World Court Reaffirms Climate Obligations in Advisory Opinion

  • Caroline O'Leary
  • Aug 10
  • 2 min read
(Li-An Lim/Unsplash)
(Li-An Lim/Unsplash)

The World Court issued an advisory opinion on each country’s obligation to lower their carbon emissions on July 23, 2025. The statement discussed past climate treaties and the requirements of each country to help combat global warming.


What is the World Court?


The World Court, officially known as the International Court of Justice, is the United Nations’

primary judicial sector. It consists of 15 judges from assorted countries and is based in The

Hague, Netherlands. The World Court handles cases between the 193 member countries of the United Nations. Additionally, the court consults legal matters and settles disputes within the UN and its organizations.


Emphasis on Past Climate Treaties


Previously, the United Nations has initiated several treaties intended to counteract increasing carbon emissions and climate change. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, adopted in 1992, was the starting point for many future treaties and actions in the environmental field. It encourages cooperation between nations and leadership from developed countries.


The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, adopted in 1994, defines the international boundaries of the ocean and mandates that countries take measures to protect the marine environment. Part of this can include protection from pollution and climate change.


The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Wealthy, industrialized countries are required to set target limits and time frames in order to cut these emissions. It allows and encourages nations to assist other countries in reaching their targets as part of their own.


The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to lower global warming levels below 2 (ideally 1.5) degrees celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. To do this, each country was to create its own plan, to be updated every five years. It is expected that wealthier, developed countries will assist poorer, developing countries, and that peer pressure would play a role in holding countries accountable in following through with their plans.


A main point of the World Court’s advisory opinion was to reaffirm the contents of these treaties and to reiterate the duties of each country. It reminded nations of the call to reduce carbon emissions, cooperate with one another, and create plans to combat global warming.


Goal of Advisory


In addition to emphasizing previous treaties, the advisory opinion expressed the common legal interest of all involved countries in contributing to the protection of the environment. It was also noted that small island developing countries are most susceptible to global warming, as they are at risk of extreme weather and rising sea levels. The advisory stated that these nations are still entitled to the same remedies as others.


Furthermore, the advisory opinion detailed the potential consequences of a country not following through with its obligation. This includes halting harmful emissions, a promise to not repeat them again, and restoring the damages made to the environment. Countries are able to be held accountable by other uninvolved countries, as climate change is considered a shared global interest.


The World Court’s climate advisory opinion set necessary expectations for addressing global warming. Its true impact will become clear in the planet’s future response to this challenge.



 
 
 

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