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The International Court of Justice called global warming an “urgent and existential threat” at a closely watched case in The Hague.
July 23, 2025Updated 12:53 p.m. ET
The International Court of Justice issued a strongly worded opinion on Wednesday saying that states must protect people from the “urgent and existential threat” of climate change, a major moment for the global environmental movement and for the countries at greatest risk of harm.
It was the first time that the court, which is the United Nations’ highest judicial body, has weighed in on climate change.
The unanimous opinion said that the failure of nations to take action to protect the climate system may constitute “an internationally wrongful act.” It also found that protection of the environment is “a precondition” for ensuring human rights and cited government support of fossil-fuel production as a potential violation of these principles.
“The environment is the foundation for human life, upon which the health and well-being of both present and future generations depend,” Judge Iwasawa Yuji, president of the court, said.
Although the International Court of Justice has no mechanism to enforce an advisory opinion like this on nations, as a statement of legal principles the findings nevertheless could have far-reaching influence on litigation in courts around the world as well as on international negotiations over climate policy and funding.
The United Nations General Assembly requested the opinion after a spirited, yearslong campaign organized by law students from Vanuatu and other Pacific islands. That led to a two-week hearing in December at which more than 100 countries, organizations and experts addressed the court, hoping to influence the opinion.
