ICJ (International Court of Justice)

Human rights expert Lotte Leicht explains how the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion reshapes the climate debate: states are legally bound to prevent climate harm. At COP30, states can no longer treat climate action as optional.

The recent ICJ ruling is a landmark decision for the fight against climate change, addressing state responsibility for ambitious, scientifically supported climate action. It also clears the path for potential climate reparations in the future.

The landmark application by the South African government to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to institute proceedings against Israel for its reprisal military assault against the people of Gaza, following the 7th October 2023 attacks and kidnappings in Israel, caught the majority of the world off-guard. It represents a significant judicial test to the functionality of the international multilateral system.