U.S. Defends Paris Climate Accord as ‘Best Hope’ at International Court of Justice

Climate|U.S. Defends Climate Accord as Nations Call for Stronger Global Action

A representative of the United States took the podium on Wednesday at a landmark hearing before the International Court of Justice and declared that the climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced.

But in her remarks, the U.S. representative, Margaret L. Taylor, a legal adviser for the State Department, also argued that the existing United Nations system to address climate change is sufficient, despite criticism that it has failed to stop the dangerous rise in global temperatures.

“The U.N. climate change regime, with the Paris Agreement at its core, is the only international legal regime specifically designed by states to address climate change,” Ms. Taylor said. “Cooperative efforts through that regime provide the best hope for protecting the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations.”

Left unaddressed in her remarks was how long the United States might remain a party to the Paris Agreement, the 2015 deal in which nearly every country in the world committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Donald J. Trump pulled out of the accord during his first term as president, and is expected to do so again.

Ms. Taylor’s remarks set off a flurry of condemnation from small island nations and environmental groups, who argue that more action is urgently needed. At a series of hearings this month, the first at the court addressing climate change, they are seeking to hold the United States and other large historical polluters accountable for damage to the planet.

Ralph Regenvanu, special envoy for climate change and environment for the island nation of Vanuatu, said he was disappointed with the position the United States, Australia, Saudi Arabia and China had taken in their statements.