Kate Genevieve1d ago

A major success for ni-Vanuatu and Pacific climate advocacy - the UN has backed last July’s ICJ climate advisory opinion.

https://www.pisfcc.org/news/adopted-unga-resolution-on-the-icjao-passes-with-overwhelming-majority

What began as 27 law students in Port Vila at the University of the South Pacific forming Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, turned into a Vanuatu-led campaign to bring climate change and human rights to the International Court of Justice.

#Climate #Vanuatu #ICJ #Pacific

Adopted! UNGA Resolution on the ICJAO passes with overwhelming majority. — Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change | Seeking an Advisory Opinion from the ICJ

NEW YORK, May 20, 2026 –   Today, at the United Nations General Assembly, a strong majority of States affirmed simple but powerful truths: the climate crisis is not beyond the reach of justice, the time to act is now, and the rule of law must guide climate action.

Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change
Show threadKate Genevieve1d ago

Last July, the ICJ clarified that states are indeed obligated to regulate fossil fuel emissions, reduce global warming, cooperate internationally and protect human rights, including the right to a "clean, healthy and sustainable environment".

Last week, despite opposition from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Israel, Iran, Yemen, Liberia and Belarus, the UN General Assembly voted to support the opinion - 141 votes to 8.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/21/un-vote-support-icj-world-court-climate-change-opinion #climate #Vanuatu #ICJ #UN

UN backs historic climate crisis ruling, despite US attempts to stop resolution

The US, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia – some of the highest oil-producing nations and major greenhouse gas emitters – opposed the measure

The Guardian
Show threadKate Genevieve

This backing from the UN strengthens the ICJ opinion as an authoritative reference point for courts, governments and climate groups to cite in climate litigation and advocacy around the world. So, reference and cite it wherever you can.

There's a great deep dive by Rebecca Solnit that goes into the many involved & the efforts over years, the student group & the work of the Indigenous Chamorro human rights lawyer Julian Aguon.

https://www.meditationsinanemergency.com/this-may-well-be-the-most-consequential-case-in-the-history-of-humanity #ICJ #RebeccaSolnit #Vanuatu #ClimateJustice

"This May Well Be the Most Consequential Case in the History of Humanity"

Something huge just happened. Or rather another step was taken in the successful trajectory of the most important climate action you probably never heard of. It was a follow-up to maybe the biggest thing that happened last year, though it didn't get much attention then either. There was a period

Meditations in an Emergency
May 28 at 2:58amWeb
Show threadKate Genevieve1d ago

Sadly, NZ’s wishy-washy 11th hour support disappointing:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/596009/un-backs-vanuatu-led-resolution-endorsing-landmark-icj-climate-ruling

NZ voted for the resolution, but it wasn't among the 60+ co-sponsoring nations. A few years ago, it certainly would have been.

As Vanuatu ambassador, Odo Tevi, said to the UN:

“We should be honest with one another about why this matters … It matters because the harm is real and it is already here... The states and peoples bearing the heaviest burden are very often those who contributed least to the problem.”

UN backs Vanuatu-led resolution endorsing landmark ICJ climate ruling

Vanuatu's climate change minister says the overwhelming support at the UN General Assembly confirms that no state is above its obligations to protect people and the planet.

RNZ
Show threadKate Genevieve1d ago

Gotta respect the Vanuatu Daily Post's visual communication of this landmark. A moody shot of Vanuatu Minister of Climate Change Ralph Regenvanu stylin' it, with Trump and Putin slinking off in shame in the background...

https://www.dailypost.vu/news/global-majority-backs-historic-un-climate-resolution-despite-u-s-and-russia-opposition/article_00b5f87a-b839-5ae0-9ca4-73b66a02e0b2.html

They say the images of melting ice caps and polar bears failed to mobilise people... Well, here's an old/new aesthetic for today's era of climate baddies.

Photo composite: Doddy Morris / Vanuatu Daily Post #ClimateCommunication #ClimateComms
#Vanuatu