Climate change is an urgent and existential threat with serious and far -reaching consequences. In its groundbreaking advisory opinion – albeit non -binding – the legal obligations of individual states, it was declared on Wednesday by the International Court of Justice (MSD). The decision is expected to have an impact on related lawsuits around the world, wrote AFP, referring to TASR.
“The emissions of greenhouse gases are clearly caused by human activity and are not territorial limited,” cited by MSD chairman, Japanese judge Judi Iwasawa. Reading the verdict continues and the court has not yet announced its conclusions concerning the obligation of countries to fight climate change.
For the World Court based in Hague, this is the largest case ever judged. Experts say his verdict could affect climate trials, which would have a fundamental impact on laws worldwide.
The head of the effort of the court’s opinion was the Pacific Island State Vanuatu, whose representatives are, according to their statements More and more frustrated from slow progress in the UN negotiations on the climate.
UN has commissioned 15 MSD judges to answer two basic questions: 1) What states must do under international law to make them Did they protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions “for current and future generations”? and 2) What legal consequences will be borne by states whose emissions have caused damage to the environment, especially vulnerable island states.
Advisory opinions of the MSD, which decides disputes between States, are not binding for them. Critics therefore argue that countries considered from the largest polluvers will be able to simply ignore the latest court verdict. However, other observers point to the moral and legal influence of the MSD. According to Reuters, activists expect that despite an advisory nature the decision will be a turning point.
