Institute responds to International Court of Justice advisory opinion

The following statements were issued in response to the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the obligations of states in relation to climate change:

Joana Setzer, Associate Professorial Research Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said: 

“For the first time, the world’s highest court has made clear that states have a legal duty not only to prevent climate harm — but to fully repair it. The ICJ’s advisory opinion affirms that states responsible for climate harm must provide full reparation to injured states, reinforcing the legal basis for climate justice. 

“This paves the way for more concrete demands around loss and damage, historical responsibility, and the rights of communities facing existential threats. It adds decisive weight to calls for fair and effective climate reparations.”

Noah Walker-Crawford, Research Fellow the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said: 

“The ICJ’s advisory opinion brings the weight of international law behind what climate science has shown for decades. By grounding states’ obligations in scientific consensus and human rights law, the Court affirms that governments must not only reduce their own emissions, but also regulate companies to do the same. 

“This creates a powerful foundation for future claims to hold both states and major emitters accountable.”