The Resolution
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the historic resolution requesting an ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate justice on 29th March 2023, following years of campaigning by young people around the world, hand in hand with Pacific youth
On 29th March 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the historic resolution to request an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice on climate change and human rights. Under the leadership of Vanuatu, the resolution was co-sponsored by over 130 countries.
Adopted by consensus, it is the first time in the history of the Court that an advisory opinion is requested with unanimous support, showing the global significance of this climate justice initiative that was started by Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) and joined by young people around the world through World’s Youth for Climate Justice.
Watch the adoption of the landmark climate justice resolution by the United Nations
H.E. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General
“Those who have contributed the least are already experiencing climate hell… For some countries climate change is a death sentence, and indeed it is by the initiative of those countries, joined by so many others and by the efforts of young people from all across the world that brings us together today. And together you are making history.”
H.E. Jeem Lippwe, Permanent Representative of Federated States of Micronesia to the UN
“Climate Justice and intergenerational equity, need for urgent and ambitious action to counter existential threat of climate change, including limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees… This resolution was born from Pacific youth who called upon our leaders to use international law as a tool to further highlight the need to take action. I would also like to recognize the World’s Youth for Climate Justice for their passion and for bringing this important issue to their own countries.”
What our Friends of the Initiative are saying: