The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently considering a request for advisory opinion on the obligations of States when it comes to climate change, a historic case that is the result of a long campaign by youth activists in Vanuatu, who convinced the Government of Vanuatu to lead a resolution at the UN General Assembly. Adopted in March 2023, the resolution formally asked the ICJ to provide clarity on the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate and environment, as well as what consequences arise when States fail - whether by act or omission - to do so.
After multiple rounds of written submissions from States and other entities, the Court will commence oral proceedings in late 2024, with the advisory opinion expected in early 2025.
In order to bring attention to the importance of the Court considering climate displacement as part of the proceedings, Climate Refugees submitted - along with several civil society and academic experts - a brief on key issues, which we hope will be useful to Parties as they consider their own positions.
Read the brief we jointly submitted in its entirety below.