Pacific nations applaud ‘lifeline’ climate ruling

An international court found that they have the obligation to reduce carbon emissions of Australia and other nations and to reduce climate change damage in other countries.

A non -binding view by the International Court of Justice in the Hague in the Netherlands is the way to demand high carbon -emitting countries to pay compensation to low -emitting countries.

Vishal Prashad, a group of island law students who pioneered the campaign with the support of the Vanuatu government, said, “For young people and future generations, this view is a life line and an opportunity to protect everything we keep valuable,” he said.

“Today we are one step closer to the history for climate justice and we are one step closer to realizing it.”

He said that the Vanuatu government had discussed the United Nations Climate Change Convention 30 years ago before the decision.

“Today, today’s determined states have legal obligations to act on climate change,” Regenvanu said to journalists.

“And these obligations are based on international law, they are based on human rights law and the duty of protecting our environment.”

Aidan Craney, an anthropology and development lecturer of La Trobe University, Aidan Craney, said he would significantly affect his relations with his Pacific neighbors.

“We can either show solidarity or lose all legitimacy,” he said.

Isabelle Reinecke, the founder of the Grata Fund, said that the legality of Australia’s continuous support and subsidization of fossil fuel projects may be under the investigation after the decision.

“This historical decision of the world’s highest court is officially pointing to the end of a state age, assumed legal responsibility for climate loss, and weaving.

Donald Rothwell, Australian National University, International Law Specialist, said that the opinion of the international court will pave the way for stock exchanges between states based on climate change and large polluting countries.

“If the settlements cannot be reached, there is a clearer way for international climatic cases by specifically affected states,” he said.

Importantly, all states – the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, which has signed a climate change convention, will face obligations under the advice of the court.

Although no decision is made, the opinions of consultation in the interpretation and development of international law can still be very effective.

In this way, ICJ consultation view not only clarify the existing rules, but creates legal acceleration, Seb

Actionaid Australian Executive Director Michelle Higlin said that the decision is open and that Australia should play a role to increase the global heating to 1.5C.

“This is not a choice, this is the obligation to take a stronger and more urgent action,” he said.

Actionid wants the government to support the “urgent” transition from fossil fuels and climatic adaptation efforts in low -income countries.

Oxfam Climate Change Policy Leader Nafkote Dabi accepted.

“Rich countries have to increase their financing to global southern countries to help them reduce emissions and protect their people from past and future damages,” Dabi said.

“This is not a list of requests-International Law.”

Climate Analytics, a Global Science and Policy Institute, Australian-Pacific region office, said the finding envisages potentially serious legal penalties.

If countries underline the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5C of pre -industrial levels, action can be taken within the scope of traditional international law.

Australia’s commitment to the agreement includes reduction of 43 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and obtaining net zero emissions by 2050.

President Judge Yuji Iwasawa said, “The deterioration of the climate system and other parts of the environment benefits from a series of rights protected by human rights law,” he said. idea.

The court decision “confirms that the obligations of the states require measures to protect the climatic system. idea.

A response was received from the federal government.

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