Transcript:
When nations fail to cut fossil fuel pollution, it makes global warming worse. And it may violate international law.
In July, the United Nations’ International Court of Justice issued a unanimous opinion about countries’ legal obligations on climate change.
Burt: “The court stated very clearly … that states have legal obligations to cut emissions and protect human rights … including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment … and to repair harm already done by climate change.”
Sarah Burt is an attorney with Earthjustice, an environmental law nonprofit. She says an opinion by this court is not directly enforceable.
Burt: “It is nonetheless an extremely authoritative statement of what the law is. … This will be a legal precedent that can be taken up in future cases, whether cases before international bodies or cases before domestic courts.”
For example, lawsuits that challenge new fossil fuel projects or seek compensation from polluting nations to fund climate adaptation in vulnerable countries.
So this landmark opinion could guide efforts to hold polluting countries to account.
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media
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