The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution to follow up on the landmark 2025 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), reinforcing countries’ responsibilities to address climate change and protect human rights.
The resolution recognizes the ICJ opinion as an authoritative interpretation of international law and calls on all countries to safeguard the climate system and the environment from human-induced greenhouse gas emissions by preventing significant harm, cooperating in good faith and protecting vulnerable populations.
Introduced by Vanuatu and a group of supporting nations, the resolution was approved by a vote of 141 in favor, with eight countries voting against and 28 abstaining.
The General Assembly also requested the UN Secretary-General to prepare a report in 2027 outlining ways to strengthen compliance and decided to revisit the issue during its 83rd session in 2028.
