UN’s top court says failing to protect planet from climate change could violate international law
By MOLLY QUELL
Associated Press
The United Nations’ top court says that if countries fail to take measures to protect the planet from climate change, they could be in violation of international law.
The International Court of Justice on Wednesday delivered an advisory opinion in a landmark case about nations’ obligations to tackle climate change and consequences they may face if they don’t.
The court said countries harmed by climate change could be entitled to reparations for the damage they have suffered. It called a “clean, healthy and sustainable environment” a human right.
The decision paves the way for other legal actions, including states returning to the ICJ to hold each other to account.
