Health, climate, and community leaders have expressed their enthusiastic support for an opinion from the International Court of Justice, which asserts that States have a legal obligation under international law to safeguard the global climate system.
The highly awaited ruling indicates that States can be held responsible for not taking adequate measures to protect the climate system from greenhouse gas emissions. This includes actions related to fossil fuel production, fossil fuel consumption, the issuance of licenses for fossil fuel exploration, or the provision of subsidies for fossil fuels.
"The ruling gives moral and legal support for change. It seems likely more court challenges worldwide will follow the ICJ ruling." Professor Nick Talley AC, Chair of Doctors for the Environment Australia.
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