Campaign Resources
Climate ICJ AO Delivery Debrief
Historic Legal Breakthrough - The Climate advisory opinion marks a watershed moment in international climate law, delivering unprecedented legal clarity on States’ obligations.
Unanimously adopted by all 15 judges of the world’s highest court, the ruling draws on binding international norms, its authority is undeniable. The Court delivered a clear roadmap to hold polluters accountable under multiple sources of international law, extending beyond the climate treaties, and secure the right to remedy and reparation.
Top Arguments at the Climate ICJAO Proceedings
This brief unpacks some of the key arguments addressed in the written submissions, presenting select excerpts to provide a snapshot of critical legal questions at the heart of the ICJ AO.
It presents key contrasting positions of major polluters and the vast majority of participants, especially concerning issues that have crucial implications for climate justice. The brief is by no means comprehensive; it offers but a glimpse into the complex terrain of arguments submitted by countries across the world and international organizations on theissue of State obligations in relation to climate change.
Daily Debriefs Compendium
During the oral hearings, we unpacked the arguments every day and offer you here a compendium of all the daily debriefs so you have the central arguments of each participating State and international organisation at your fingertips!
Youth Climate Justice Handbook
The Youth Climate Justice Handbook aims to be the single most authoritative legal document that would guide the youth and civil society campaign in the second phase of the campaign.
It also aims to contribute to the preparations of states and intergovernmental organisations in their submissions before the ICJ.
PISFCC Campaign Brief
PISFCC began in March 2019 with 27 USP Law students from 8 Pacific Island countries campaigning to bring the issue of climate change and human rights to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). We now have members across all Pacific island countries and educational levels. Our main goal is to seek an Advisory Opinion from the ICJ to develop new international law on environmental treaties and human rights.
We are also dedicated to educating and mobilising Pacific island youth to fight against climate change. Climate change threatens our homeland and cultures, but we choose to fight back using our passion and knowledge, from grassroots efforts to the highest levels of government.
Human rights in the face of the climate crisis: a youth-led initiative to bring climate justice to the International Court of Justice (Legal Report)
World Youth for Climate Justice, released a legal report detailing political and legal developments in international environmental law. This report forms the basis for seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on integrating human rights and climate change law to protect future generations. It highlights legal advancements shifting public consciousness towards addressing climate change.
The editors, members of the Academic Taskforce for World Youth for Climate, are committed to strong climate action to safeguard future generations.
ITLOS AO Keynotes (Advisory Opinion on Climate Change Delivered by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea: Relevance for the International Court of Justice Climate Advisory Proceedings)
On May 21, 2024, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) issued an advisory opinion on States’ obligations to protect oceans from climate change. This is relevant to the ongoing climate advisory proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - [Climate ICJAO].
The ICJ's opinion references the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the duty to protect the marine environment. The ITLOS opinion, based on evidence from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), states that the law of the sea defines States’ climate obligations due to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the marine environment.
This will likely influence the ICJ's process and definitions of States' duties.
