Australia joins 140 other countries in passing a major United Nations resolution backing a landmark legal ruling on climate change, despite efforts by the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia to sink it.

A landmark General Assembly resolution adopted on Wednesday is “a powerful affirmation” of international law, climate justice and science, according to UN chief António Guterres.

The ruling which endorsed an International Court of Justice opinion finding countries can be held legally responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions had the support of most…