The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee advances human rights through grassroots collaborations.
The World’s Highest Court hears the World’s Biggest Problem
Six of the world’s 195 countries are responsible for 63% of global carbon emissions. Pacific Islands students are demanding that the world’s highest court hold them accountable.
Throughout the first two weeks of December, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold public hearings on the issue of Climate Change. These hearings will inform their advisory opinion, an influential ruling on the international legal question of climate accountability.
The ICJ is the main court of the United Nations. As the world’s highest court, it has issued key advisory opinions on various human rights issues, but has never been prompted to rule on climate change. With 98 states and 12 international organizations taking part in oral proceedings, this is the biggest case in the ICJ’s history.
Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, a youth-led organization, successfully campaigned for the UN General Assembly to adopt the resolution that led to these Advisory Opinion hearings. The ICJ only hears cases that are officially requested by authorized UN entities, and the Pacific Islands students were essential in securing this monumental opinion.
The States most responsible for the climate crisis have failed to take accountability. Now, thanks to the work of Pacific Island student organizers, people directly impacted by the climate emergency have a chance to make their voices heard. The court’s 15 judges will rule on States’ obligation under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and the consequences for States that have caused significant harm.
An ICJ Advisory Opinion (ICJAO) is nonbinding. We are tasked with showing our collective strength by leveraging opinions to demand action from governing bodies. An ICJAO, like many legislative acts, is a tool that grassroots organizers can use in their pursuit of climate justice.
Add your voice to the chorus calling for accountability and sign the Pacific Island students’ petition. Urge the International Court of Justice to rule boldly and deliver a strong opinion. Also, consider making a video to show your support for the campaign!
As the Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change say, they have brought the world’s biggest problem to the world’s highest court. It will be our job to ensure this hard-won Advisory Opinion is put to use through collective action.
