Latest news with #Vanuatu
RNZ News
an hour ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
UN's top court finds countries can be liable for emissions
climate politics 34 minutes ago Vanuatu's Climate Change Minister has said the Pacific now has more leverage in climate negotiations after the UN's top court found that countries can be held legally responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions. The president of the International Court of Justice, Yuji Iwasawa, said climate change is an urgent and existential threat. From the Hague, Jamie Tahana reports.
ABC News
an hour ago
- Politics
- ABC News
A climate 'reckoning' just unfolded at the International Court of Justice. What does it mean?
It's been hailed as a "planetary scale" win for climate advocates pushing for stronger action against carbon pollution. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared nations have an obligation under international law to prevent climate change — and that they may be liable to pay compensation if they fail to do so. Observers say it's a clear victory for nations, led by Pacific Island country Vanuatu, that campaigned for the case to be heard at the world's highest court. "It's hard to overstate how momentous this ruling is," said Wesley Morgan, a research associate with UNSW's Institute for Climate Risk and Response. And environmental advocates and experts say the decision will have consequences for Australia — a major exporter of fossil fuels — that could include legal action. So what was the case about? What did the ICJ decide? And what does it mean for climate change action? The ICJ, also known as the World Court, was asked to give an opinion about the obligations of nations to prevent climate change — and the consequences for them if they fail. It's the first time the court has made a decision on a climate change case. It involved a record number of countries in The Hague, in the Netherlands, and the court's 15 judges spent months poring over tens of thousands of pages of documents before reaching a decision. But, the road to the ICJ started in a classroom back in 2019, when a group of Pacific Islander law students in Vanuatu looked for a way to solve the apparent international "deadlock" on climate change action. They decided to ask the World Court to clarify what responsibilities nations had to address climate change, and soon gained diplomatic support from Vanuatu's government, which led a successful global campaign for the ICJ to hear the case. More than six months after 100 nations made their arguments at the court in December, the judges handed down their long-awaited decision on Wednesday, local time. The ICJ issued a clear and unanimous decision on the issue. It declared countries have a legal obligation to protect the climate from greenhouse gas emissions. The court also found that failing to do so is a "wrongful act" that could mean polluting nations have to pay reparations to countries harmed by climate change. It rejected arguments put forward by high-emitting nations that it was impossible to attribute greenhouse gas emissions to individual countries. And it said a "clean, healthy and stable environment" is a human right. Importantly for Australia, the ICJ singled out fossil fuels in its decision. The judges found that fossil fuel production and consumption, the granting of fossil fuel exploration licences, and fossil fuel subsidies may constitute internationally wrongful acts. The court also found countries are responsible for regulating the emissions of private companies. While the ICJ's 500-page decision is non-binding, observers say it will reach far and wide in its impact. "We have a ruling today that will reverberate around the world and will echo through history," Dr Morgan said. "This is a planetary scale decision. "Today is actually a day of reckoning for the fossil fuel industry and for governments that continue to allow fossil fuel companies to harm the Earth's climate system." Experts say first, it will strengthen the hand of nations vulnerable to climate change in talks such as the United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP. "Those states are able to go into those negotiations armed with this very powerful advisory opinion," Australian National University professor in international law Donald Rothwell said. Vanuatu's special envoy on climate change, Ralph Regenvanu, told the ABC the finding had shifted discussions from one of "voluntary commitments" to reduce emissions, to one about legally binding obligations under international law. And if those talks come to nought, the decision also paves the way for legal action, Professor Rothwell said. "The advisory opinion really opens the door for litigation to proceed by those specially affected states being able to rely upon the very clear outline of the extent of the obligations … that the court talks about in its opinion." Australia co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution referring the case to the ICJ. But it later drew rebuke from climate advocates after its arguments to the court diverged sharply from those of Pacific Island nations. While Vanuatu urged the ICJ to use a broad set of international laws in reaching its decision, Australia argued that nations' obligations largely did not extend beyond major international climate treaties, including the Paris Agreement. The ICJ has not accepted Australia's argument — one that was also put forward by other large carbon-emitting nations. Observers and environmental advocates say the advisory opinion will impact Australia. Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said it made clear that Australia has international legal obligations to take responsibility for its fossil fuel production — whether used domestically or exported — due to the significant harm it causes and "regardless of where the coal, oil, or gas is ultimately burned". Isabelle Reinecke, executive director and founder of the Grata Fund, said the advisory opinion seriously calls into question the legality of Australia's past and ongoing approval of fossil fuel projects and its subsidies for fossil fuel companies. "It makes crystal clear that so long as the Australian government's efforts to protect the world's climate system fall short of stabilising global heating at 1.5 degrees, it could be liable to litigation from other countries." And shortly after the ICJ handed down its finding, Mr Regenvanu did not rule out launching litigation against large polluting countries, including Australia. An Australian government spokesperson on Thursday morning said it recognises that climate change "is one of the greatest existential threats to all humanity, and that it's having a significant effect on our region". "The unprecedented participation by other countries in the ICJ proceedings reflects that we're not alone in recognising the challenges and opportunities of responding to climate change," the spokesperson said. They said the government would embed serious climate targets in law and make the changes necessary to achieve them. "We will now carefully consider the court's opinion." Pacific countries are celebrating the ICJ's decision after leading the charge for nations vulnerable to climate change at the court. Fiji's prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, said the country was grateful for the advisory opinion. Reverend James Bhagwan, general-secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches and leading climate justice advocate for Pacific Island communities, described it as a "call to conscience". "Now we can really hold states accountable if they are not doing enough. And this can also be applied to companies and industries as well," he said. "If a healthy environment is a human right, then rivers, forests, mountains, and the ocean must be recognised as rights-bearing entities." For Pacific Island nations experiencing major cyclones, coastal inundation and sea level rise, the court case was about survival, Dr Morgan said. "They know that today the Pacific has again shaped global efforts to tackle the climate crisis," he said. Vepaiamele Trief, a 16-year-old Save the Children youth ambassador, said the advisory opinion will pave the way for a safer future for young people. "I really hope to see more climate action from all states, but mainly large polluting states that need to be held accountable for their actions."
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vanuatu island chief 'very impressed' by global climate decision
The paramount chief of a volcanic island in Vanuatu said Thursday he was "very impressed" by a global court's declaration that countries must tackle climate change. Vanuatu spearheaded the legal case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which found countries have a duty to protect against the "urgent and existential" threat of a warming planet. "I'm very impressed," George Bumseng, the highest chief of the Pacific archipelago's cyclone-prone island of Ambrym, told AFP in the capital Port Vila. "We have been waiting for this decision for a long time because we have been victims of this climate change for the past two decades," he said. The chief recalled that his island was battered by three tropical cyclones in 2023, with twin cyclones Judy and Kevin striking in March of that year, followed by Lola in October. The storms damaged "a lot of our root crops and forests and our traditional medicines", said Bumseng, who is chairman of the Ambrym council of chiefs. Global warming "keeps on changing our environment", the chief said. "We no longer have fig trees. There's coastal erosion continuously. Our tide is also changing," he said. "Some of the traditional crops are no longer growing like before," he added. "We're very happy that this International Court of Justice has ruled in favour on this issue." str/djw/sft/tym
France 24
4 hours ago
- Climate
- France 24
Vanuatu island chief 'very impressed' by global climate decision
Vanuatu spearheaded the legal case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which found countries have a duty to protect against the "urgent and existential" threat of a warming planet. "I'm very impressed," George Bumseng, the highest chief of the Pacific archipelago's cyclone-prone island of Ambrym, told AFP in the capital Port Vila. "We have been waiting for this decision for a long time because we have been victims of this climate change for the past two decades," he said. The chief recalled that his island was battered by three tropical cyclones in 2023, with twin cyclones Judy and Kevin striking in March of that year, followed by Lola in October. The storms damaged "a lot of our root crops and forests and our traditional medicines", said Bumseng, who is chairman of the Ambrym council of chiefs. Global warming "keeps on changing our environment", the chief said. "We no longer have fig trees. There's coastal erosion continuously. Our tide is also changing," he said. "Some of the traditional crops are no longer growing like before," he added. © 2025 AFP
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Morning Mail: nations ‘have duty to curb fossil fuels', Epstein files furore continues, inside Gaza's starvation crisis
Morning everyone. After years of campaigning by Pacific activists and the Vanuatu government, the world's top court has ruled that countries could be made to pay reparations if they fail to take action on the climate crisis. We have a full report, plus scientists warn that the ongoing marine heatwave will hit wildlife as badly as the black summer fires. In other news, house prices are up in all eight capital cities. We have a heartbreaking dispatch from the frontline of Gaza's starvation crisis, and the latest on the Epstein files furore in the US. Ocean 'superhighway' | A global study of deep sea creatures called brittle stars shows linked ecosystems on a 'superhighway' reaching from southern Australia to the north Atlantic. Big bet | The bookmaker Betr generated more than half of its gambling profits from just 20 customers in January, according to a rival company which is the target of a takeover by Betr. Algal augury | Scientists warn the wildlife impacts of a marine heatwave that has driven a catastrophic algal bloom off South Australia are likely to be equivalent to those from the black summer bushfires. Capital gains | Australia's eight state and territory capital cities have posted simultaneous house price rises for the first time in four years. Freedom stalled | The Centre for Public Integrity has accused the Albanese government of having a poorer record than the Morrison government for producing documents for public scrutiny. 'Gaza is starving' | Our reporter in Gaza, Malak A Tantesh, writes today about the desperate situation in the territory as skeletal children fill hospital wards amid a worsening starvation crisis. 'These cases haunt me, they never leave my mind,' says one paediatrician. The head of the World Health Organization said the crisis was 'man-made' and aid organisations urged Israel to allow more aid into the territory. Dozens of former UK diplomats have urged the country's government to recognise the Palestinian state. Fossil fuel 'duty' | States have a legal duty to stop the production and consumption of fossil fuels, the world's top court has ruled, and could be ordered to pay reparations. The case follows years of campaigning by a group of Pacific island law students and the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. Epstein block | A US judge on Wednesday denied a justice department bid to unseal grand jury transcripts related to the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in south Florida. Newly uncovered photos and video footage published by CNN show more links between the notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, including Epstein at Trump's wedding to Marla Maples in 1993. Meanwhile the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Trump's name appears in the Epstein files 'multiple times'. Macron suit | Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron are suing the rightwing American commentator Candace Owens for claims that the French president is controlled by the CIA and his wife is a man. UK | A surgeon from Cornwall who carried out hundreds of amputations has appeared in court accused of lying over how he lost his own legs and encouraging another man to remove the body parts of others. The many controversies of Mark Latham Chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy speaks to Reged Ahmad about how the latest controversy around Mark Latham has sparked a debate about whether his portrait should still hang in Parliament House. Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ A federal government program that gives a 30% subsidy on home batteries has sparked an 'off the charts' surge in installations with households on track to have 10,000MW of battery capacity by 2030 – equal to half of the current coal generation capacity, Graham Readfearn reports. One analyst says the boom 'completely destroys the business case for a gas turbine and also the high evening prices that coal generators rely on'. Six authors are in the running for the Miles Franklin book award, to be announced today. Joseph Steinberg runs the rule over the contenders, which include Julie Janson's sequel to her dramatisation of the lives of her Indigenous ancestors, murder stories by Fiona McFarlane, and Michelle de Kretser's novel Theory and Practice, set in 1980s Melbourne. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Cricket | India made a solid start to the fourth Test in Manchester, ending the day on 264-4 after being put into bat – but their progress was marred by a broken foot for Rishabh Pant. Cycling | Jonathan Milan won a rain-soaked sprint finish in Valence to take his second stage win in this year's Tour de France as the backlash against 'arrogant' race leader Tadej Pogacar gathered momentum. Football | Spain and Germany battled it out for the right to play England in the final of the Women's Euros. Catch up with the action here. Labor branches are in revolt over the government's failure to take a tougher line on Israel, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The Australian claims only three New Zealanders have enlisted in the ADF since people from the Five Eyes partners were invited to join. The man behind Brisbane's huge Queens Wharf development has been tasked with delivering 17 Olympic venues, the Courier Mail reports. Business | The board of Macquarie Bank faces a possible shareholder revolt over pay when its annual general meeting starts in Sydney at 10.30am. Sydney | Federal court judgment in Qatar strip-search case. Economy | Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock will face questions about rate policy. If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. And finally, here are the Guardian's crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword
