The next step in climate efforts

In the context of the General Assembly resolution, India should not hesitate to make its submission to the ICJ, reflecting its views on climate-change issues

Considerable excitement has been generated on the adoption by consensus of the UN General Assembly resolution (A/RES/77/276) of March 29, 2023, which seeks advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on “the obligation of States in respect of Climate Change”. The resolution is considered a landmark because it was co-sponsored by 133 member countries. While advisory opinion from the ICJ is not legally binding on states, it carries a certain moral authority.

The ICJ’s legal opinion is being sought on legal consequences for states that “by their acts and omissions damage the climate in such a way that