Australia’s government is being condemned by climate action groups for discouraging the International Court of Justice (ICJ) from ruling in favour of a court action brought by Vanuatu to determine legal consequences for states that fail to meet fossil reduction commitments.
In its submission before the ICJ at The Hague yesterday, Australia argued that climate action obligations under any legal framework should not extend beyond the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.
It has prompted a backlash, with Greenpeace accusing Australia’s government of undermining the court case.
- LISTEN TO PACIFIC BEAT: Climate action groups livid over Australia’s submission at ICJ 2
- Climate justice: Vanuatu’s landmark case at ICJ seeks to hold polluting nations responsible 3
- ICJ begins hearings in landmark Pacific climate change case started by students 4
- Other ICJ climate lawsuit reports 5
“I’m very disappointed,” said Vepaiamele Trief, a Ni-Van Save the Children Next Generation Youth Ambassador, who is present at The Hague.
“To go to the ICJ and completely go against what we are striving for, is very sad to see.
“As a close neighbour of the Pacific Islands, Australia has a duty to support us.”
RNZ Pacific reports 6 Vanuatu’s special envoy to climate change says their case to the ICJ is based on the argument that those harming the climate are breaking international law.
Special Envoy Ralph Regenvanu told RNZ Morning Report they are not just talking about countries breaking climate law.
Republished from ABC Pacific Beat with permission.
Climate @CIJ_ICJ 7 hearings day 1 recap:
called for climate justice, self-determination & accountability
talks of climate leadership but argues against binding human rights
exposed polluters hiding behind the #ParisAgreement 8 to dodge accountability.https://t.co/PB86XFpwzA 9 pic.twitter.com/KI1hOKAM0G 10
— Center for International Environmental Law (@ciel_tweets) December 3, 2024 11
This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report 12 and was authored by APR editor.