The UN's highest court is issuing an advisory opinion on the legal obligations of states to combat climate change. Climate action activists gathered outside the International Court of Justice in The Hague, advocating for climate justice and an end to fossil fuels. The advisory opinion, requested by the UN General Assembly in 2023, is considered historic and could set a legal benchmark for global climate action. The court was asked to answer questions about countries' obligations to protect the climate and the legal consequences of inaction on climate change. The COP15 agreement in Paris in 2015 saw over 190 countries commit to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
5 months ago
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is delivering a landmark "advisory opinion" on the legal obligations of states concerning climate change 1. This opinion, sought by the U.N. General Assembly in 2023, is considered historic for its potential to establish a global legal benchmark for climate action 1. Vulnerable island nations, facing the threat of rising sea levels, were key advocates for this initiative 1.
The advisory opinion, while non-binding, holds substantial legal and political weight, meaning future climate-related cases will likely be unable to disregard it 1. A panel of 15 judges was tasked with addressing two core questions: the extent of countries' obligations under international law to protect the climate from human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, and the legal repercussions for governments whose actions or inactions significantly harm the climate and environment 1.
This development occurs against a backdrop of unfulfilled international commitments, such as the 2015 COP15 Paris Agreement, where over 190 countries pledged to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius 1. Despite this agreement, global greenhouse gas emissions have continued to rise, contributing to widespread extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and wildfires, as well as rising sea levels 1. Pope Francis's encyclical "Laudato sì," which appealed to world leaders to address environmental and social cries, served as a foundational text for discussions at the COP15 Summit 1.
What is the Church's teaching on care for creation?
The Catholic Church teaches that care for creation is a moral obligation and an integral part of the common good, rooted in the understanding that the environment is a gift from God . This responsibility stems from humanity's role as stewards of God's creation, not as ruthless exploiters .
In summary, the Church's teaching on care for creation is a comprehensive call to responsible stewardship, emphasizing the ethical, social, and spiritual dimensions of environmental protection for the good of all humanity, present and future .