<
https://theconversation.com/cop30-pacific-leaders-now-have-world-court-backing-to-call-countries-to-account-over-climate-risk-262616>
"At the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, Pacific Island states are making a
familiar plea to keep warming at 1.5°C. But now they have the backing of a
legal opinion that has transformed climate action from a moral and political
aspiration into an obligation under international law.
Earlier this year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory
opinion rejecting the narrow view that only specific treaties such as the Paris
Agreement govern state conduct on climate change.
Instead, it presented a framework based on human rights law, the law of the
sea, environmental treaties, customary international law and general principles
of law to reinforce that states have a legal duty to adopt and maintain
ambitious climate measures.
For small island states, which contribute a fraction of global emissions yet
face the gravest threats from rising seas, the opinion offers both vindication
and leverage. It strengthens the shift from moral persuasion toward legal
accountability.
For decades, climate diplomacy has operated in an ambiguous space between moral
appeals and political compromises. With this opinion, the court has signalled
the end of the age of discretionary climate governance.
States now face legal obligations that are substantive, enforceable and global
in scope. The implications for Aotearoa New Zealand are particularly acute."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
