United Nations General Assembly Passes Climate Reparations Resolution

The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring that countries which do not reduce greenhouse gas emissions owe reparations to nations affected by climate change. The United States, Israel, Iran, Liberia, Russia, Belarus, Saudi Arabia and Yemen voted against the resolution. One hundred forty-one nations voted in favor and 28 abstained, according to UN News.

Background on the Resolution Vanuatu led the effort to bring the measure forward.

The resolution supports a July 2025 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice that nations must reduce emissions under the framework of the 2015 Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement requires participating countries to limit global temperature rise to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels.

States officials stated they had consistently opposed the initiative throughout negotiations and expressed concerns about the International Court of Justice opinion. The United Nations and International Court of Justice did not respond to requests for comment.