UN General Assembly Adopts Resolution on World Court Climate Opinion

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Wednesday supporting an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in July 2025. The opinion states that countries have legal obligations to protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions.

The resolution was prepared by Vanuatu and several other countries. It passed with 141 votes in favor, eight against, and 28 abstentions. Countries voting against included Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the U.S., and Yemen.

The resolution calls on all UN member states to take steps to avoid significant damage to the climate and environment. It urges governments to follow through on existing climate pledges under the Paris Agreement and to cooperate in good faith on global climate efforts.

The text also states that governments should ensure climate policies safeguard rights to life, health, and an adequate standard of living. It notes that the International Court of Justice ruled that states breaching these obligations may be required to stop the conduct, offer guarantees against repetition, and provide reparation.

A UN statement released after the vote said those least responsible for climate change are paying the highest price. The statement added that the path to climate justice runs through a rapid, just, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy.

The statement noted that renewables have proved to be the cheapest and most secure form of energy. It said the goal of keeping global temperature rises to no more than 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels remains within reach.