The International Court of Justice (ICJ), United Nations’ top court has declared on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, that countries can now face climate change lawsuits from other nations.
The UN top court made this known in a non-binding advisory.
The ICJ’s ruling, delivered in The Hague, Netherlands, was filed by Vanuatu and supported by over 130 countries, particularly small island nations vulnerable to rising sea levels.
The court held that countries have a legal duty to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and nations harmed by inaction, such as those facing climate-driven storms or flooding could seek reparations through climate change lawsuits.
Presiding Judge Iwasawa Yuji, in his ruling said that if countries do not develop the most ambitious possible plans to tackle climate change this would constitute a breach of their promises in the Paris Agreement.
He added that broader international law applies, which means that countries which are not signed up to the Paris Agreement – or want to leave, like the US – are still required to protect the environment, including the climate system.
This decision strengthens the legal framework for holding major polluters accountable, even as powerful nations like the United States and Russia oppose mandatory emissions reductions.
Speaking after the ruling, Siosiua Veikune, one of the initiator of the lawsuit said: “I’m lost for words. This is so exciting. There’s a ton of emotions rushing through us. This is a win we take proudly back home to our communities.
“Tonight I’ll sleep easier. The ICJ has recognised what we have lived through – our suffering, our resilience and our right to our future.
“This is a victory not just for us but for every frontline community fighting to be heard.”
Veikune also hoped that the decision will now pave the way for compensation from countries that have burned the most fossil fuels and are the most responsible for global warming.
Reacting also, a spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was “taking time” to look at the opinion before commenting in detail, but added:
“Tackling climate change is and will remain an urgent UK and global priority. Our position remains that this is best achieved through international commitment to the UN’s existing climate treaties and mechanisms.”
