On the 23rd of July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its long-awaited Advisory Opinion on the obligations of states in respect to climate change. The Advisory Opinion makes clear that states have far-reaching obligations under international law to prevent harm to the climate system and that breaching such obligations could result in having to make reparations, among other things.

 

So, what impact might the ICJ’s ruling have on international climate diplomacy and action, including climate-related litigation? To find out, Anna and Bhargabi speak to Dr Margaretha Wiwerinke-Singh, who is an Associate Professor of Sustainability Law at the University of Amsterdam and who lead the legal team of Vanuatu and the Melanesian Spearhead Group throughout the ICJ proceedings, and Dr Maria Antonia Tigre, who is the Director of Global Climate Change Litigation at the Sabin Centre at Columbia University.

 

To learn more about the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion, read this Chatham House expert comment and/or listen to this Climate Briefing interview with Ralph Regenvanu, who at the time of the interview served as Vanuatu’s Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology and Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Risk Management.