A top UN court has given a historic decision on climate change.
This decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has cleared the way for countries to sue each other on the issue of climate change.
A judge of the ICJ located in Hague, Netherlands, said on Wednesday that it may be difficult to find out who is responsible for what part of climate change.
Legal experts say that the impact of this decision can be far-reaching.
This decision will be seen as a victory for the countries that are most affected by climate change.
These countries had approached the court upset by the lack of global progress in dealing with this problem.
The Court found that States have a legal obligation to limit global warming to 1.5°C, marking a landmark moment in international environmental law and climate justice.
The ICJ, also known as the World Court, gave its Opinion following months of deliberations, and the public hearing of statements from States and International Organisations, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at the historic proceedings.
IUCN has welcomed the decision. “IUCN welcomes this important advisory opinion, which strengthens the global legal framework and reinforces the urgent imperative to limit warming to 1.5 °C. IUCN has been actively engaged at every stage of these historical proceedings and congratulates the ICJ on this key decision that will shape the future of our planet,” Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, said.
“Climate change is not only a crisis of rising temperatures; it is a crisis for both humanity and nature with profound implications for human rights.."
IUCN’s participation in the case is notable because, as a Union, it represents both State and non-State members, underscoring its unique position as a bridge between governments and civil society.
“The highest judicial body of the UN has spoken — and it has spoken clearly: every State has an obligation under international law to act with a stringent level of due diligence to prevent global warming from exceeding the 1.5°C threshold,” IUCN said.