From emissions to reparations? States' liability after the ICJ's climate ruling

Authors Nick Dingemans, John Zadkovich and Constantina Stavrou, examine the decision and its far-reaching impact on international law, state responsibility and climate litigation.

On 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed down a historic advisory opinion addressing states’ obligations concerning climate change, an authoritative opinion expected to significantly influence the development of international climate litigation.

The case originated from the Pacific Island of Vanuatu in 2023 which, leading a group of 132 developing and developed states, successfully urged the UN General Assembly to refer key questions to the ICJ.

Click here to read more.