The International Court of Justice (ICJ), commonly known as the World Court, is scheduled to deliver a highly anticipated advisory opinion today, July 23, 2025, in The Hague. This decision, requested by the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, aims to clarify the legal responsibilities of countries concerning climate change under international law. It is widely regarded as a pivotal moment that could influence the course of global climate litigation.
The ICJ was asked to answer two major questions: what obligations states have to protect the climate system from harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and what the legal consequences are for states that cause significant environmental damage. Although the court’s opinion is non-binding, it is expected to carry considerable legal and moral weight, potentially guiding future legal actions and shaping environmental policies around the world.
Over 100 countries and 11 international organizations have submitted arguments during hearings held in December 2024. These included major emitters like the United States and China, as well as vulnerable small island nations and developing countries that are on the front lines of climate impacts. While industrialized nations largely argued in favor of relying on existing agreements like the Paris Accord, many developing countries pushed for the ICJ to define stricter legal obligations and enforce accountability on wealthier nations and polluters.
The global legal landscape for climate justice is already expanding, with nearly 3,000 climate-related legal cases currently active across around 60 countries. The ICJ’s opinion is expected to further legitimize these efforts and encourage national and regional courts to interpret climate inaction as a breach of international duty.
This decision comes on the heels of other significant legal rulings. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights recently urged Latin American states to cooperate on climate policies. European courts, including the European Court of Human Rights and the Dutch Supreme Court, have ruled that governments must take stronger measures to combat climate change and protect future generations.
The advisory opinion is scheduled to be read publicly at 1300 GMT (3 p.m. local time in The Hague). Observers worldwide are keenly watching for its implications on international climate governance, financial reparations, and the legal responsibilities of both developed and developing nations.
Legal experts, activists, and vulnerable countries hope the ICJ’s opinion will serve as a powerful legal tool to strengthen climate accountability and support just outcomes in future negotiations and courtrooms. Though the opinion is advisory in nature, its influence may shape how courts interpret state responsibility in the face of escalating climate crises.