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:

  • “The Vanuatu-led effort to secure a UN General Assembly resolution leading to an advisory opinion on climate justice from the International Court of Justice is crucial because it plants seeds of hope that the world's highest court will clarify States' obligations to implement ambitious climate action. After decades of heel-dragging by governments, a strong and clear advisory opinion could be the catalyst for accelerating the phase out of fossil fuels, urgent adaptation measures, fair compensation for loss and damage, and the mobilization of trillions of dollars needed to finance the transition to a renewable energy economy.”

    David Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Environment

  • "The climate crisis is so grave that every lawful tool must be used to fight it. An advisory opinion from the ICJ could strengthen the important tool of international law in this effort. We are increasingly seeing domestic courts rely on international law in ordering their governments to take stronger actions on climate change, and this opinion could persuade more courts to act."

    Micheal Gerrard, Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice, Director - Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School

  • “The ongoing climate crisis demands action by our entire international community. States’ current emissions of greenhouse gas emissions threaten severe and long-term harm to our global climatic system and to all future generations. There is an urgent need for international solutions that pressure states to act. We need to use every available framework and tool to respond to this crisis. The Youth for Ecocide Law network is a strong proponent of using international legal tools to prevent environmental destruction and promote climate action. Current calls for an Advisory Opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice align well with our network’s focus on adding ‘ecocide’ as a fifth crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. We believe that the world’s biggest ecological crises demand action by the world’s highest courts. We stand in solidarity with our partners at World Youth for Climate Justice and with the Republic of Vanuatu in support of this UNGA resolution.”

    Amalie Wilkinson, Youth for Ecocide Law

  • "It has never been more important for countries with large resource-based economies, such as Canada, to understand their international law obligations to protect the climate system and other parts of the environment from GHG emissions, and the legal consequences of their acts and omissions. In the face of the climate emergency, securing an ICJ Advisory Opinion through the Vanuatu ICJAO resolution is an important step towards protecting the human rights of present and future generations."

    Prof. Sharon Mascher, Faculty of Law - University of Calgary, Senior Honorary Research Fellow - School of Law - University of Western Australia