The UN will adopt a resolution supporting the decision of the international court | Climate Crisis News

141 UN member states voted to support the ICJ’s finding that climate change is an ‘existing threat’.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has voted to support a A famous decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)which found that states have a legal obligation to take action to prevent climate change.

More than two-thirds of the UN’s 141 member states voted in favor of the resolution on Wednesday, with eight voting against and 28 against.

Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s climate change minister, who promoted the issue, described the vote as a victory for “communities at the forefront of the climate crisis”.

“Today the world community decided that climate change is not a political and economic problem, but a legal, justice, and human rights issue,” Regenvanu said in a statement.

“For vulnerable countries like Vanuatu, this decision is very important because it confirms that no government is above its responsibility to protect people, future generations, and our planet.”

A historic ruling from The Hague court in July last year found that countries have a duty to act on the “present threat” of climate change.

This case was the biggest that was never considered by a 15 judges of the ICJwho reviewed thousands of pages written and heard two weeks of verbal argument before giving their verdict.

The case came to court at the request of the UNGA after a decision led by Vanuatu March 2023.

Wednesday’s vote, in contrast, attracted several protests, with Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Yemen voting no.

Al Jazeera reported in February that The US sent a diplomatic cable urging UN member states not to agree to the resolution.

“We urge Vanuatu to withdraw its decision and stop using the Court’s Opinion as a basis for pursuing any international criminal prosecution,” the document, seen by Al Jazeera, said.

Wesley Morgan, a fellow at the Climate Council, an Australian non-profit, said the vote confirmed that countries have a responsibility to act on climate change.

“This landmark election is a huge victory for Vanuatu and Pacific leaders who have spent years fighting to survive in the face of climate change and a warning to Australian governments,” Mr Morgan said in a statement.

“For too long, heavy oil has seen climate change as a political choice, but the UN General Assembly has now confirmed that it is a legitimate project,” he added.