The Hague – July 2025

In a breakthrough ruling that could reshape global climate policy, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a historic advisory opinion affirming that governments and corporations can be held legally accountable for the environmental harm they cause — particularly to vulnerable nations already bearing the brunt of the climate crisis.

The ruling comes after a motion brought by a coalition of developing nations and Pacific island states, supported by African legal experts, which asked the court to clarify whether states have a legal obligation to act on climate change under international law.

The court's response: Yes — and failure to do so constitutes a breach of global responsibility.

"This opinion does not only speak to the future. It demands action now," said Justice Maame Nkrumah, one of the African judges who contributed to the deliberations.

The court emphasized that states have:

• Legal duties under the UN Charter and international human rights law to prevent harm to the environment

• A responsibility to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and support vulnerable countries

• An obligation to respect intergenerational equity, ensuring the environment is preserved for future generations

For African nations — many of which are already experiencing climate-induced droughts, floods, and biodiversity collapse — the ruling offers a powerful tool for pushing global emitters to pay up and act faster.

“This is climate justice with teeth,” said Fatou Diop, an environmental lawyer from Senegal. “It means we now have legal grounds to demand compensation, technology transfers, and urgent mitigation.”

Multinational corporations and high-polluting nations — including fossil fuel giants — are now under increased legal scrutiny, as the ruling paves the way for new lawsuits and court challenges.

Activists hailed the decision as “a Paris Agreement moment for climate justice”, as it reinforces the idea that the climate crisis is not just a political issue, but a matter of rights and accountability.

The ruling is advisory, not binding, but its influence is expected to ripple through future domestic and international legal cases, UN negotiations, and national climate legislation.

In Africa, where the climate justice movement continues to grow — from youth-led coalitions in Uganda to eco-litigation in South Africa — this decision could redefine how environmental harm is confronted, punished, and prevented.

As the global temperature continues to rise, the ICJ has sent a clear signal: the age of impunity is ending. Polluters beware.