URBANEXPRESSLIVEURBANEXPRESSLIVEURBANEXPRESSLIVE
  • Home
  • Politics
    Politics
    “Followers who tell the truth, and leaders who listen to it, are an unbeatable combination.”— Warren Bennis
    Show More
    Top News
    $6billion Debt: Atiku Slams NNPCL, Says Its Layers of Deceit
    September 2, 2024
    Leaked Memo: Zamfara Govts Response “Action Inline With Civil Service Rules
    September 15, 2024
    Davido, Sanwo-olu’s SSA Gawat  Disagrees Over Use of Word On X
    September 21, 2024
    Latest News
    There’s No Justification For Not Being In Peace With My Boss-Fubara
    May 30, 2025
    Concerns As Activists Fear Emergency Rule May Last Beyond Six Months
    May 28, 2025
    Obi , Atiku in Deep Blue Sea As Coalition Confused Over Choice of Candidate-Lere
    May 24, 2025
    US Ex- Ex-President Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
    May 19, 2025
  • Entertainment
  • Urban & Rural Lifestyle
  • Column
  • Environment
  • Urban Sports
  • Crime Lence
  • More Links
    • About Us
    • Contact us
    • Advertise
Search
  • Advertise
© 2024 Urbanexpresslive. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Climate Change Shift Agitation To Court-ICJ Hearings Begins In Landmark Case
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
URBANEXPRESSLIVEURBANEXPRESSLIVE
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Urban & Rural Lifestyle
  • Column
  • Environment
  • Urban Sports
  • Crime Lence
  • More Links
Search
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Urban & Rural Lifestyle
  • Column
  • Environment
  • Urban Sports
  • Crime Lence
  • More Links
    • About Us
    • Contact us
    • Advertise
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
URBANEXPRESSLIVE > web-Page > Environment > Climate Change Shift Agitation To Court-ICJ Hearings Begins In Landmark Case
Environment

Climate Change Shift Agitation To Court-ICJ Hearings Begins In Landmark Case

urbanexpresslive
Last updated: December 5, 2024 7:14 am
urbanexpresslive
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

Olusegun Ariyo

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has begun hearings in the biggest climate change case ever, with more than 100 countries and non-governmental organizations calling for an opinion on “the obligations of States concerning climate change”.

The two-week hearing is the result of years of lobbying by island nations who face an existential threat in rising sea levels, a phenomenon driven by an ever-warming planet.

Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, who heads the legal team for Vanuatu, told the AP that they “want the court to confirm that the conduct that has wrecked the climate is unlawful.” Vanuatu, a small island nation in the Pacific of around 300,000 people, will be the first to present arguments before the United Nation’s highest court.

Hearings will run until December 12 and a decision is not expected until 2025. While advisory opinions issued by the ICJ are non-binding, they are legally, morally and politically significant.

The landmark climate change case began with a group of 27 law school students at the University of South Pacific in Vanuatu. They hailed from different Pacific island nations, all among the most vulnerable to the worsening effects of climate change.

Solomon Yeo, a citizen of the Solomon Islands, hatched the idea with his classmates to change international law on climate change via the ICJ. Yeo, who now serves as the campaign director for the NGO created by the group, Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change, is attending the hearings at the Hague.

The hearing comes on the heels of an abysmal result at the recent COP29 summit, hosted in the petrostate of Azerbaijan, which saw the talks nearly collapse as fossil fuel interests loomed large and countries responsible for causing the calamitous rise in carbon dioxide levels resisted demands for financial support by nations threatened by their actions. Despite this, campaigners are quietly confident that their case at the Hague will be successful.

An advisory opinion from the ICJ would clarify legal questions related to climate change and have huge implications for litigation at the domestic, regional and international level.

-An ICJ decision carries huge weight and moral authority,” Cameron Diver, a Pacific legal expert, told the Guardian. “It would be the pinnacle of the international legal guidance that could be provided.”

Reacting to remarks of Australia and the United States at the landmark ICJ Climate Case on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Ralph Regenvanu, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Environment for The Republic of Vanuatu, stated: “Today, as sea levels rise and the impacts of climate change intensify, we cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand. Climate change is an existential threat that transcends borders, affecting all nations regardless of political ideology or geographic location.

“We are disappointed by the statements made by the governments of Australia, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and China during the ICJ proceedings. These nations, some of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, have pointed to existing treaties and commitments that have regrettably failed to motivate substantial reductions in emissions.

“Let me be clear: these treaties are essential, but they cannot be a veil for inaction or a substitute for legal accountability. There needs to be an accounting for the failure to curb emissions and the climate change impacts and human rights violations that failure has generated.

“It is particularly concerning that some of these nations, upon whom we depend for aid and support, have not acknowledged the severity of the crisis or their responsibilities under international law. Our dependency on their assistance makes it all the more critical for them to act responsibly and in solidarity with vulnerable nations like ours.

“As we have argued before the Court, the conduct responsible for climate change is not just irresponsible – it is unlawful under a range of international obligations, including those under the law of the sea, human rights law, and environmental law. The destruction of Earth’s climate system constitutes an ongoing breach of international law, and it demands immediate legal recognition and cooperative measures to turn the tides, repair the harm, and protect our futures from further destruction.

“We hold hope that our former colonial powers, including France and the United Kingdom, will recognise the gravity of this moment and support our continued self-determination. Their support in the coming days could significantly affirm their commitment to solidarity, justice, and the rule of law.

“Our appeal is to all nations, especially those with the greatest capacity and historical responsibility, to align their actions with the principles of international law and the urgent needs of our shared planet. No country can afford to keep its head in the sand any longer. The time for decisive, legally grounded action is now.”

You Might Also Like

Why Climate Crisis Remain Human Right Challenges, Says UN Official

Climate change policy Overdue in Nigeria, Expert Says

Lekki Estate  Gets Lagos Govt’s Sanction Over Untreated Wastewater Discharge

How Fire Destroys Goods Worth Millions In Ilorin Market

Former CJN, Buhari, Akume, Others Lose Ownership Titles As Wike Revokes 762 Plots In Abuja

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article PSC Chair Insists on Respect, Equity, Merit As Police Academy Screens Applicants
Next Article EPL: Nonsense, his general Play Was Disappointing-Roy Keane Hits At Man Utd Star
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

235.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
11.6kFollowersPin
56.4kFollowersFollow
136kSubscribersSubscribe
4.4kFollowersFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Latest News

UCL: What Barca Legend, Carles Puyol, Reacts As PSG Beat Inter 5-0, Wins Trophy
Urban Sports June 1, 2025
China calling, thanks to Chairman Ganduje
Column May 31, 2025
Breaking Seals, Assaulting of Enforcement Officers, Lagos Govt Arrests 37 Defaulters
Crime Lence Crime Reports May 31, 2025
Why Offset Request Spousal Support From Cardi B Amid Divorce Battle
Entertainment May 31, 2025
Executive Master of Transport Management
//

UrbanExpressNews is Nigeria Most Reliable Online News, With Quality Pedigree of Writers made available on the online space.

Download Our App

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

info@urbanexpresslive.com

 

Follow US
© 2024 Urbanexpresslive. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account