The International Court of Justice is set to handle the largest case in its history, addressing what nations are legally required to do to combat climate change and aid vulnerable countries. The case, initiated by island nations fearing the consequences of rising sea levels, aims to establish that climate-damaging conduct is unlawful.
The top United Nations court will take up the largest case in its history on Monday, when it opens two weeks of hearings into what countries worldwide are legally required to do to combat climate change and help vulnerable nations fight its devastating impact.
In the decade up to 2023, sea levels have risen by a global average of around 4.3 centimetres , with parts of the Pacific rising higher still. The world has also warmed 1.3 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times because of the burning of fossil fuels. Any decision by the court would be non-binding advice and unable to directly force wealthy nations into action to help struggling countries. Yet it would be more than just a powerful symbol since it could serve as the basis for other legal actions, including domestic lawsuits.
Last month at the United Nations’ annual climate meeting, countries cobbled together an agreement on how rich countries can support poor countries in the face of climate disasters. Wealthy countries have agreed to pool together at least $300 billion a year by 2035 but the total is short of the $1.3 trillion that experts, and threatened nations, said is needed.
The second question makes particular reference to “small island developing States” likely to be hardest hit by climate change and to “members of “the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change.”
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE CLIMATE CHANGE ENVIRONMENT LEGAL OBLIGATIONS VULNERABLE NATIONS SEA LEVEL RISE
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Supreme Court 'signed my son's death warrant,' mother says of refusal to hear pleaOTTAWA — The mother of a Canadian man detained in Syria says the Supreme Court of Canada has signed her son's death warrant by closing the door on a plea to hear his case.
Read more »
Supreme Court 'signed my son's death warrant,' mother says of refusal to hear pleaOTTAWA — The mother of a Canadian man detained in Syria says the Supreme Court of Canada has signed her son's death warrant by closing the door on a plea to hear his case.
Read more »
Supreme Court 'signed my son's death warrant,' mother says of refusal to hear pleaOTTAWA — The mother of a Canadian man detained in Syria says the Supreme Court of Canada has signed her son's death warrant by closing the door on a plea to hear his case.
Read more »
Supreme Court 'signed my son's death warrant,' mother says of refusal to hear pleaOTTAWA — The mother of a Canadian man detained in Syria says the Supreme Court of Canada has signed her son's death warrant by closing the door on a plea to hear his case.
Read more »
Supreme Court declines to hear appeal of man convicted in Alberta hunters' deathsOTTAWA — Canada's top court has declined to hear the appeal of one of two men found guilty in the fatal shooting of two Métis hunters in eastern Alberta.
Read more »
Supreme Court declines to hear appeal of man convicted in Alberta hunters' deathsOTTAWA — Canada's top court has declined to hear the appeal of one of two men found guilty in the fatal shooting of two Métis hunters in eastern Alberta.
Read more »