General List No. 187
Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change
International Court of Justice · 23 July 2025
- Court
- International Court of Justice
- Decided
- 23 July 2025
- Citation
- General List No. 187
- Status
- Advisory opinion delivered
What was decided
Requested by the UN General Assembly after a campaign started by law students in the Pacific, the Court’s opinion confirmed that states have binding obligations under international law to protect the climate system, and that breaching them can engage state responsibility.
Why it matters
The opinion is the most authoritative statement yet of what international law requires on climate change. National courts and negotiators can now point to the world court when interpreting states’ duties.
UnanimousThe Court’s answer to the General Assembly’s questions
77/276UN General Assembly resolution requesting the opinion, adopted by consensus in 2023
2019Year Pacific Island law students launched the campaign
How the case unfolded
2019
Law students at the University of the South Pacific begin campaigning for an advisory opinion.
29 March 2023
The UN General Assembly adopts resolution 77/276 by consensus, requesting the opinion.
December 2024
Public hearings in The Hague, with the widest participation in the Court’s history.
23 July 2025
The Court delivers its advisory opinion.
