Why in Broadcast?

• Recently, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution that asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to provide an opinion on what kind of obligations countries have towards climate change reduction, based on the promises they have made to the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC).

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• This resolution had been pushed through by one of the smallest country in the world, the Island of Vanuatu in Pacific.
• This island nation was devastated in 2015 by the effects of Cyclone Pam, which is believed to have been spurred by climate change.
• This cyclone wiped out 95% of its crops and affected two-thirds of its population.

Questions Put forth By The Resolution

• The draft resolution (A/77/L.58) invoked article 96 of the UN Charter to ask the ICJ to deliberate on two questions:

1. What are the obligations of states under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system for present and future generations?
2. What are the legal consequences under these obligations for states where they, by their acts and omissions, have caused significant harm to the climate system, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and for people who are harmed?

The Possible Outcomes

• A legal opinion from the ICJ, the highest global court recognised by all 193 UN members is expected to bolster the efforts under the UNFCCC to ensure all countries work towards mitigating climate change and global warming to the suggested 1.5-2°C limit.
• Its opinion may prove vital about contentious issues such as climate reparations by the developed world, legal culpability for countries that don’t achieve their NDC promises and climate support to the most vulnerable parts of the world battling the effects of global warming.
• Although the ICJ is being asked for an “advisory opinion”, it would not be legally binding as an ICJ judgment.

Small Island developing states (SIDS)

• Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a distinct group of 38 UN Member States and 20 Non-UN Members/Associate Members of United Nations regional commissions that face unique social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities.
• They aim to restore the sensitive ecosystem of the SIDS countries and help them to safeguard wildlife, strengthen their economies and adapt to climate change.

Restoring Initiatives

• UN recognizes 10 pioneering initiatives that are restoring the natural world:

1. Trinational Atlantic Forest Pact
2. Abu Dhabi Marine Restoration
3. Great Green Wall for Restoration and Peace
4. Ganges River Rejuvenation
5. Multi-Country Mountain Initiative
6. Small Island Developing States Restoration Drive
7. Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative
8. Central American Dry Corridor
9. Building with Nature in Indonesia
10. Shan-Shui Initiative in China