Nearly a year after the International Court of Justice declared that states have legal obligations to combat climate change, the United Nations General Assembly has thrown its political weight behind the opinion – reinforcing a growing push to turn climate promises into legal accountability.
Passed on Wednesday by the UN General Assembly, the resolution endorses last year’s historic advisory opinion from the (ICJ), which declared that states have legal duties to combat climate change and may face consequences if they fail to do so. The measure, spearheaded by Vanuatu, was adopted with 141 votes in favour, eight against and 28 abstentions. Countries opposing the text included the United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres described the resolution as “a powerful affirmation of international law, climate justice, science and the responsibility of states to protect people from the escalating climate crisis”. Although non-binding, the resolution is being hailed as another important step in turning climate promises into legal and political accountability.
Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's minister for climate change, speaks after the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion about nations' obligations to tackle climate change, 23 July, 2025. © AP - Peter Dejong
