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International Court of Justice declares states have obligation to address fossil fuels in historic ruling

Michael Simire
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International Court of Justice declares states have obligation to address fossil fuels in historic ruling
On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the world’s highest court, issued its long-awaited Advisory Opinion on states’ legal obligations in the face of climate change, offering unprecedented legal clarity on how existing international norms apply to address the climate crisis, with significant implications for ongoing and future fossil fuel production.
International Court of Justice

The landmark ruling affirms that climate action is not optional: it is a binding legal duty grounded in existing treaty regimes and customary law, including human rights and environmental law. The Court acknowledged states have an obligation to prevent environmental harm, protect present and future generations from the escalating impacts of the climate crisis and to cooperate internationally. In a significant outcome, the Court found that fossil fuel production, licensing and subsidies “may constitute an internationally wrongful act”.

Importantly, the Court showed a pathway toward a solution – that “Co-operation between States is the very foundation of meaningful international efforts with respect to climate change” and that “treaties and their coordinated forms of implementation are a principal expression” of this cooperation. This has undoubtedly been the case in recent major international legal efforts, spearheaded by small groups of nation-states, such as the 17 nations participating in the development of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and the core group of countries who brought these questions before the International Court of Justice on Wednesday.

Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Meteorology, Geohazards, Environment and Disaster Management for the Republic of Vanuatu, said: “This initiative was part of efforts to get the action quicker because we have been in the UNFCCC process for 30 years – we are pulling all international levers possible. We were part of the group that went to ITLOS and got the advisory opinion. We made a submission as part of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and are pushing for the crime of ecocide to be recognised by the ICC. We are also part of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, where we’re pushing to get more countries on board and trying everything at the international level to speed up action. Today has been a concrete contribution to that.”

Vishal Prashad, Director, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC), said: “By affirming the science, the ICJ has mandated countries to urgently phase out fossil fuels because they are no longer tenable. For Small Island States, communities in the Pacific, young people and future generations, this opinion is a lifeline and an opportunity to protect what we hold dear and love. I am convinced now that there is hope and that we can return to our communities saying the same. Today is historic for climate justice and we are one step closer to realising this.”

The opinion reinforces what climate vulnerable nations and frontline communities have long demanded: that wealthy, high-emitting states must align with international law by rapidly reducing emissions, ending fossil fuel expansion, and supporting those harmed by the crisis through finance, adaptation, and remedy. 

The Court left no legal shelter for business-as-usual. It made clear that the status quo is incompatible with states’ legal obligations under international law – a finding that will inform climate litigation and advocacy for years to come.

Kumi Naidoo, President, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “This opinion should serve as a clarion call to governments and institutions stalling the fossil fuel phaseout. The ICJ has affirmed what we have long known – that states have a legal duty to protect people and the planet from the impacts of the climate crisis, including taking appropriate action to prevent harm from fossil fuels. This reinforces the urgent need for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, which offers a bold, clear path to turn these obligations into concrete, just action. We applaud the Pacific states that made the voices of frontline communities and their calls for climate justice heard on the global stage and catalysed this historic ruling.”

The court emphasised that existing legal frameworks set forth binding obligations upon all States to act on climate change, highlighting their duty to cooperate in good faith to find solutions. The ICJ’s decision signals that climate obligations extend beyond existing climate treaties and that ambition is not a matter of voluntary pledges. They are rooted in binding legal rules and principles, including the right to life, health, culture, and a healthy environment.

This outcome is only the beginning. Like past landmark ITLOS and Inter-American Court opinions, this ruling will shape a new era of climate justice. Now, it is up to communities and governments to bring it to life.

What advisory opinion of ICJ on states’ obligations on climate change means for climate finance for Africa

Michael Simire
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What advisory opinion of ICJ on states’ obligations on climate change means for climate finance for Africa

The Advisory Opinion 

The long awaited ICJ Advisory opinion on states obligation on Climate Change is finally here! It says that government actions driving climate change are illegal, and states are legally bound to cut their emissions and compensate vulnerable nations for the harm they have caused. This implies that countries need to get serious about tackling climate change as soon as possible. This is huge. The ICJ is basically saying states must work together to cut emissions, honour global climate agreements, and protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems. The Court even declared that having a “clean, healthy, and sustainable environment” is a fundamental human right. 

Augustine B Njamnshi
Augustine B Njamnshi

If countries fail to take action to protect the planet, it could constitute a violation of international law. Judge Yuji Iwasawa emphasised that “States must cooperate to achieve concrete emission reduction targets.” If countries fail to comply with the stringent obligations outlined in climate treaties, that constitutes a breach of international law. The Court also made it clear that countries are responsible for the actions of companies under their jurisdiction or control, which means they need to rein in fossil fuel production. 

Background To the Advisory Opinion 

This initiative’s roots go back to a 2019 grassroots movement spearheaded by Pacific Island youth – the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC). These young leaders, who are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, showed determination and vision. In March 2019, they took action, writing to all Pacific governments to seek support for their proposal for an ICJ advisory opinion. Their efforts paid off, gaining backing from regional leaders and, crucially, Vanuatu’s Foreign Minister who with others, would champion the course to secure the UNGA resolution for this.  

In 2023, the UN General Assembly, under Article 96 of the Charter of the United Nations, decided to request the International Court of Justice, pursuant to Article 65 of the Statute of the Court, to render an advisory opinion on the following question: 

“Having particular regard to the Charter of the United Nations, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the duty of due diligence, the rights recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the principle of prevention of significant harm to the environment and the duty to protect and preserve the marine environment,  

(a) What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases for States and for present and future generations? 

(b) What are the legal consequences under these obligations for States where they, by their acts and omissions, have caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment, with respect to:  

(i) States, including, in particular, Small Island Developing States, which due to their geographical circumstances and level of development, are injured or specially affected by or are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change? 

(ii) Peoples and individuals of the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change?” 

The decision to request this Advisory Opinion was taken as the UNGA noted with utmost concern the scientific consensus, expressed, inter alia, in the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, including that anthropogenic emissions of greenhouses gases are unequivocally the dominant cause of the global warming observed since the mid-20th century, that human-induced climate change, including more frequent and intense extreme events, has caused widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people, beyond natural climate variability, and that across sectors and regions the most vulnerable people and systems are observed to be disproportionately affected. 

As the opinion was awaited UNGA continued emphasising the urgency of scaling up action and support, including finance, capacity-building and technology transfer, to enhance adaptive capacity and to implement collaborative approaches for effectively responding to the adverse effects of climate change, as well as for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with those effects in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to these effects. 

Provision of climate finance has always been an emotive issue that has perpetually widened the North-South divide over who has the obligation to provide climate finance and on what terms. In recent years, this scenario has characterised climate negotiations, leaving developing countries with the impression that developed countries keep making climate finance discussions a “red flag” as though developing countries are just begging or are simply money minded. This could even be seen during this ICJ process when many developed country states raised the lex specialis argument, which suggests that the specific treaty regimes related to climate change – such as the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement – should be considered as the primary or only source of law for determining states’ obligations in relation to climate change. 

This is threat to climate justice and now that this lex specialis argument was rejected by the Court and with the unequivocal Advisory Opinion of the ICJ stating that states are legally bound to cut their emissions and compensate vulnerable nations for the harm they have caused, there is a need to look at Climate Change and Climate Finance (especially adaptation finance) negotiations from a Transitional Justice perspective.  

The Urgent Need for A Transitional Justice Approach to Climate (Adaptation) Finance 

Historical Responsibility: Developed countries have contributed significantly more to greenhouse gas emissions historically. A transitional justice approach acknowledges this responsibility and aims to correct historical injustices by ensuring these countries contribute more to climate finance. It is true, we all have to “clean the climate mess,” but in doing so, we should not forget who created the mess and continued to do so, who benefited from the mess and continued to do so, who can stop the mess and has the capacity to do so.

This is what the Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibility according to Respective Capabilities (CBDR), which is a cornerstone of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, is all about. Again, remember, the impacts of climate change are already there and are increasing daily. The Paris agreement is very clear about who should provide the money, for whom and for what purposes. Article 9, paragraphs 1 and 2 state that: 

1) Developed country Parties shall provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties for both mitigation and adaptation in continuation of their existing obligations under the Convention.   

2) Other Parties are encouraged to provide or continue to provide such support voluntarily.  

If everyone must put their hands on deck to stop and clean the climate mess, money is needed, and therefore, developed countries are obliged to provide the money for developing countries to do so. Other parties (non-developed countries) are encouraged (not obliged) to provide or (for those who have already been doing so) continue to provide such support voluntarily.  

Vulnerable Populations and Equitable Distribution: Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations in developing countries, who often lack the resources to adapt. Transitional justice ensures that these communities receive the necessary support to cope with climate impacts. The provision of climate Finance should be anchored on the felt needs (not quick fixing) of developing countries. Transitional justice promotes the equitable distribution of climate finance, ensuring that funds are allocated based on need and vulnerability rather than political or economic influence. 

For this reason Article 9.3 states that 🙁As part of a global effort, developed country Parties should continue to take the lead in mobilising climate finance from a wide variety of sources, instruments and channels, noting the significant role of public funds, through a variety of actions, including supporting country-driven strategies, and taking into account the needs and priorities of developing country Parties. Such mobilisation of climate finance should represent a progression beyond previous efforts.

What, therefore, are the felt needs and priorities of developing countries? In general, the priority needs of developing countries, especially Africa, are adapting to the present and future impacts of climate change, poverty eradication, sustainable development, and finally mitigation. It means developed countries should provide money mostly in the form of grants to help them cope with the impacts of climate change that they never caused in the first place. 

Grants, not loans, because “you cannot set fire on someone’s house and sell them the fire extinguisher or, worse still, loan them money to rebuild it.”  Article 9.4 provides that: “The provision of scaled-up financial resources should aim to achieve a balance between adaptation and mitigation, taking into account country-driven strategies, and the priorities and needs of developing country Parties, especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and have significant capacity constraints, such as the least developed countries and small island developing States, considering the need for public and grant-based resources for adaptation.” 

Reparations and Redress: By framing climate finance through a transitional justice lens, there is a focus on reparations and redress for communities that have suffered losses and damages due to climate change, promoting healing and reconciliation. The past decades have shown us that “political feel-good announcements” that developed countries make on the stage each time we have a big meeting have not helped. We have heard this so many times! We have had experiences where developed countries turn around and baptize anything as climate finance. 

Attempts to count activities such as efforts to stop illegal immigration from Africa to Europe and space research as climate finance are just a few of them. Predictability, therefore, remains key, and for that reason, the 5th paragraph of Article 9 provides that “Developed country Parties shall biennially communicate indicative quantitative and qualitative information related to paragraphs 1 and 3 of this Article, as applicable, including, as available, projected levels of public financial resources to be provided to developing country Parties. Other Parties providing resources are encouraged to communicate biennially such information on a voluntary basis.” 

Participation, Inclusion and Trust Building: A transitional justice approach ensures that affected communities are actively involved in climate finance decision-making processes, promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. Moreover, incorporating principles of transitional justice can build trust between developed and developing countries, fostering better cooperation and more effective climate action. 

In providing this financial support to developing countries, developed countries have to show utmost transparency by providing timely and useful information about it. Article 9.7 provides thus: “Developed country Parties shall provide transparent and consistent information on support for developing country Parties provided and mobilised through public interventions biennially in accordance with the modalities, procedures and guidelines to be adopted by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Agreement, at its first session, as stipulated in Article 13, paragraph 13. Other Parties are encouraged to do so.” 

Conclusion: The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on climate change presents an opportunity to re-think climate adaptation finance negotiations because it clarifies states’ obligations under international law and strengthens the legal basis for climate action, potentially leading to increased financial support for vulnerable nations. By clarifying these obligations, the opinion will help unlock stalled negotiations, strengthen demands for climate finance, and reinforce the need for action rooted in science. By rejecting the lex specialis argument, the ICJ affirms that obligations related to climate change extend beyond the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, applying even to states not party to those treaties. 

A Transitional Justice approach in climate adaptation finance negotiations will therefore help in addressing past injustices and ensuring fair treatment of all parties lays a foundation for long-term sustainability and resilience, creating a more just and equitable global response to climate change. Overall, integrating transitional justice into climate finance negotiations can help rectify historical wrongs, ensure fair distribution of resources, and support vulnerable populations in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. 

By Augustine B Njamnshi, lawyer, Co-Founder and Chair of Political and Technical Affairs of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA). He is also the Executive Director of the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA)

Lagos govr reaffirms commitment to environmental sustainability

Michael Simire
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Lagos govr reaffirms commitment to environmental sustainability

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has reiterated his unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State

Sanwo-Olu said this during a special tree planting exercise organised by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) in celebration of his 60th birthday on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Lagos.

The event took place at the setback along the Cargo Terminal, International Airport Road, Ikeja.

The governor was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Tajudeen Gaji.

He emphasised that tree planting was a simple, yet powerful action to combat climate change, improve air quality, and create a healthier environment for future generations.

He described the exercise, not just as a celebration, but also a reaffirmation of collective commitment to sustainable environmental protection and the future of Lagos State.

“As your governor, I remain dedicated to advancing initiatives that safeguard our environment and combat climate change, from urban greening programmes to renewable energy and climate adaptation projects,” he stated.

Sanwo-Olu added that each tree planted would help cool the city, improve air quality, and reduce the risk of flooding.

He described the gesture as a gift to future generations.

The governor praised the LJLA fellows for their leadership and dedication, likening the trees to seeds of leadership that would grow strong and enduring as living monuments to Lagos’s future.

He also highlighted the significance of the academy as a symbol of leaders, who valued sustainability and impact beyond economic growth.

“The academy, named after the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, embodies vision, service, and foresight,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu called on Lagosians to join the movement to plant and nurture trees as a collective contribution toward a sustainable future.

By Olaitan Idris

US EPA accused of initiating moves to eliminate climate science finding

Michael Simire
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US EPA accused of initiating moves to eliminate climate science finding

Global climate justice group, 350.org, has condemned reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing to repeal its foundational scientific finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human life.

Lee Zeldin
Lee Zeldin, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

According to a New York Times article published July 22, 2025, the EPA is drafting a ruling that is set to eliminate the 2009 bedrock scientific finding, known as the “endangerment finding.” The finding established that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane pose a direct threat to public health and the environment and underpins much of the federal government’s authority to regulate emissions and address the climate crisis.

On Friday, July 18, the EPA had already announced plans to dismantle its scientific research arm and lay off hundreds of staff. Now, as climate advocates are pointing out, the agency is targeting the science itself.

Anne Jellema, Executive Director of 350.org, says: “This administration is making a mockery of the institutions set up to protect us all. It’s one thing to wilfully ignore the science in favour of profit, but to attempt to cancel it altogether beggars belief. Canceling the endangerment finding would declare open season on all of humanity, and cause irreversible harm to the entire planet, not just within the boundaries of the United States.”

For decades now, scientists have agreed, with a greater than 99% consensus, on climate change being caused by human beings. Yesterday, in an address titled ‘The Moment of Opportunity’, the United Nations Secretary General emphasised that “the climate crisis is laying waste to lives and livelihoods, and the 1.5-degree limit is in unprecedented peril. To keep it within reach, we must drastically speed up the reduction of emissions – and the reach of the clean energy transition.”

In Washington this week, a protest was brought to the steps of the White House with 27 colourful trunks representing the children whose lives were tragically lost to the floods in Texas that claimed at least 135. Their families brought this protest to the White House to condemn a broader failure to address the climate crisis and hold the fossil fuel industry accountable. They demanded immediate policy changes, full funding for weather and disaster response agencies, and a rapid transition away from coal and oil.

“We are already bearing witness to the impacts of the chaotic policy changes being pushed through by this administration. These have cost us lives and will continue to do so long into the future. We will not sit back and let this administration unravel the protections we have fought so long and hard for. We are standing by – with the full force of the global climate movement behind us – to denounce this proposal as soon as it is published for public notice and comment.” concluded Anne Jellema.

Vanuatu commends ICJ on landmark advisory opinion on climate change

Michael Simire
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Vanuatu commends ICJ on landmark advisory opinion on climate change

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, issued its ruling on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change and the legal consequences for failing to fulfil those obligations. 

Ralph Regenvanu
Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management for the Republic of Vanuatu

Vanuatu and the large majority of the 96 States and11 International Organisations that presented evidence that States obligations were not limited to voluntary contributions and pledges found in the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement during the hearings in December 2024. 

The ICJ agreed with the majority and confirmed that international legal obligations – including the duty to cooperate, human rights, duties to prevent transboundary and environmental harm, including marine harm, and to act with due diligence – were also applicable to States’ conduct in the context of climate change. 

Additionally, all States, whether they are parties to the UNFCCC, Kyoto and Paris Agreements or not, were bound by these legal obligations under customary international law. 

Breaches of any of these primary obligations confirmed as ‘most directly relevant’ to climate change would result in legal consequences. The Court also confirmed that harm from climate impacts could be established and scientifically attributed to specific polluter States whose acts or omissions resulted in significant harm.

Legal consequences include cessation, including requirements to regulate private polluters and end fossil fuel subsidies; assurances of non-repetition; and a duty to make full reparations to injured States and individuals. 

This ruling is expected to take centre stage when the United Nations General Assembly meets in September and at the next conference of parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change (COP30), in November in Brazil.

These legal proceedings were requested by the UN General Assembly in a Resolution passed by consensus on March 29, 2023. The campaign for the resolution was initiated by the Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change and spearheaded by the Government of Vanuatu seeking climate justice. 

Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management for the Republic of Vanuatu, stated: “The Government of the Republic of Vanuatu commends the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on its landmark advisory opinion on climate change, issued today in response to a UN General Assembly Resolution requesting the opinion following the initiative of the Government of Vanuatu and our fellow Small Island Developing States. 

“The ICJ ruling marks an important milestone in the fight for climate justice. We now have a common foundation based on the rule of law, releasing us from the limitations of individual nations’ political interests that have dominated climate action. This moment will drive stronger action and accountability to protect our planet and peoples.  

“We will now take the ICJ ruling back to the United Nations General Assembly, and pursue a resolution that will support implementation of this decision. The implementation of this decision will set a new status-quo and the structural change required to give our current and future generations hope for a healthy planet and sustainable future. 

“Even as fossil fuel expansion continues under the US’s influence, along with the loss of climate finance and technology transfer, and the lack of climate ambition following the US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, major polluters – past and present – cannot continue to act with impunity and treat developing countries as sacrifice zones to further feed corporate greed. 

“Vanuatu is proud and honoured to have spearheaded this initiative, and the number of States and civil society that have joined to fight the same fight is a powerful testament to the leadership, courage, and determination of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and youth activists. Their persistence has transformed a grassroots movement into the biggest case in the history of international law, placing climate justice at the heart of international discourse. 

“The Global South is bearing the brunt of a crisis it did not create. Families are losing their homes, entire cultures are at risk of disappearing, and lives are being shattered by man-made climate disasters. The nations most responsible for emissions should be held accountable for any violations of legal obligations and they must also step up and lead in providing resources and support to aid those most affected.  

“This ruling provides a critical foundation for lawyers and activists to further strengthen and affirm that climate destruction is ‘against the law.’ It also confirms that environmental harm violates fundamental legal principles. 

“A victory in the world’s highest court is just the beginning. Success will depend on what happens next through coordinated efforts across diplomacy, politics, litigation, and advocacy to turn this moment into a true turning point. 

“Vanuatu looks forward to collaborating with other States on implementing the Court’s decision and ensuring that the structural changes needed to increase accountability, demand real financial commitments, and reframe climate justice become the heart of every negotiation, every policy, and every court where our peoples’ futures are at stake.”

Climate protection is a human right, says International Court of Justice

Michael Simire
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Climate protection is a human right, says International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) stated on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, that climate inaction on the part of national governments may violate their legal obligations to current and future generations under international law. It has also stated that those already impacted have legal routes to demand loss and damage funding.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)
International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The opinion was published upon a request from the UN General Assembly, led by Vanuatu and other small island states. They asked the court to clarify what responsibilities governments have to address climate change and what legal consequences they can face if they flout these responsibilities.

Driven by a demand from Pacific youth and island nations supported by a coalition of civil society, Indigenous Peoples and States, the World’s Court has taken action to put high emitters on notice. This advisory opinion will shape international norms and now exists as a tool that leaders can use to negotiate stronger climate policy in a struggling multilateral system.

This landmark opinion is said to be yet another example of the world’s most impacted nations, like Vanuatu, continuing to lead the charge on climate action. 

In its advisory opinion, the court stated that climate change is an “urgent and existential threat” and that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are “unequivocally caused by human activities.”

Judges stated that states have a duty to act on the latest climate science, in line with the international goal to limit warming to 1.5C, as set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The court described the climate system as a vital part of the environment that must be protected for present and future generations. Though the opinion is non-binding, it carries significant legal and political weight and may shape future climate litigation and treaty negotiations.

It comes amid increasing efforts to hold governments accountable for climate change through legal avenues. In a separate landmark ruling last year, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled in favour of a group of older Swiss women who argued their government’s insufficient action on climate change exposed them to deadly heatwaves.

The Strasbourg court found that inadequate climate policy can amount to a violation of human rights, setting a precedent for similar cases across Europe.

Criminalising ecocide

At the international level, discussions are underway to make large-scale environmental destruction a crime.

Last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) began formal discussions on recognising ecocide as a new crime under the Rome Statute.

The proposed definition of ecocide covers acts committed with knowledge that they are likely to cause severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment.

If adopted, this would allow the court to prosecute individuals, including corporate executives and government leaders, for environmental destruction such as large-scale oil spills or deforestation.

The mortality cost of carbon

The ecocide proposal, backed by several Pacific Island nations, faces legal hurdles as ecocide is not yet part of customary international law or recognised as a core international crime.

Nevertheless, climate litigation is gaining momentum, driven in part by advances in climate attribution science, which now makes it possible to connect specific weather events and deaths to human-driven climate change.

Researchers recently estimated that the heatwave in southern England in June this year caused 263 deaths in London, 171 of which were attributed to the increased temperatures linked to climate change.

Legal challenges are increasingly drawing on this science. Friends of the Earth recently announced it will take its case against the UK Government’s climate adaptation plan to the ECHR.

The group argues that the Government’s failure to prepare adequately for climate impacts breaches the rights of people in the UK, especially those most vulnerable to heat and flooding. The UK High Court previously ruled the Government’s adaptation plan lawful.

The ICJ’s opinion adds a new layer of legal clarity on what governments are required to do to prevent climate harm. While the court cannot enforce its ruling, it reinforces the growing view that states may be held accountable for climate inaction under international law.

ICJ reaction: ‘A rocket boost for climate justice’

Reacting to the ICJ’s opinion decision, the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment’s Noah Walker-Crawford said: “The ICJ’s advisory opinion brings the weight of international law behind what climate science has shown for decades. By grounding states’ obligations in scientific consensus and human rights law, the Court affirms that governments must not only reduce their own emissions but also regulate companies to do the same.

“This creates a powerful foundation for future claims to hold both states and major emitters accountable.”

Power Shift Africa’s director, Mohamed Adow, said: “This ruling is a rocket boost for climate justice. The ICJ has confirmed what Africa has long demanded: that rich nations must be held accountable for the damage their emissions have caused.

“For a continent like Africa – least responsible but most affected – this decision is a lifeline. It strengthens our call for reparations, debt relief, and real climate finance – not loans that deepen poverty… the law now backs our moral case.”

“The era of polluters hiding behind vague promises is over.”

Greenpeace International’s legal counsel, Danilo Garrido, said: “This is the start of a new era of climate accountability at a global level. The ICJ advisory opinion marks a turning point for climate justice, as it has clarified, once and for all, the international climate obligations of states, and most importantly, the consequences for breaches of these obligations.

“This will open the door for new cases, and hopefully bring justice to those who, despite having contributed the least to climate change, are already suffering its most severe consequences.

“The message of the Court is clear: the production, consumption and granting of licenses and subsidies for fossil fuels could be breaches of International Law. Polluters must stop emitting and must pay for the harms they have caused.”

The Climate Group’s executive director of government and policy, Champa Patel, said:”This is an historic affirmation that states have legal obligations to act decisively on climate change. This strengthens the mandate for national governments to accelerate their climate action in line with international law. Legal certainty can not only strengthen domestic policy, but it can also unlock global cooperation.

“National governments are not alone in this endeavour. To achieve high ambition and accelerate the transition, governments should work with businesses, cities, states and regions. Their leadership and collaboration can help translate legal obligations into real-world impact, supporting national governments to meet their responsibilities and protect the rights of current and future generations.”

Fenton Lutunatabua, Deputy Head of Regions at 350.org, says: “The oceans are rising, but so are we. Once again, young Pacific Islanders have stepped up with courage and made sure that our reality, as a community on the frontlines of the climate crisis, is witnessed by the world’s highest court. Today’s outcome adds strength to our fight for our future, placing our basic human rights at the heart of states’ climate obligations, and setting a new legal and moral benchmark for climate action. The ICJ has upheld the call for greater accountability, at this crucial time for our survival. A line has been drawn, and high-emitting states now have the obligation to address their climate responsibilities head on.”

Anne Jellema, Chief Executive at 350.org, says: “This landmark outcome came about because Pacific youth chose to fight rather than drown, and it gives hope to everyone out there protecting their communities from being engulfed by climate chaos. Years of shameful delays and diversions by world leaders have pushed humanity to a precipice, but today, the ICJ has made it clear that our governments are obliged under law to act, and act now. That starts with agreeing on a concrete timeline at COP30 to draw the line against the fossil fuels overheating the planet.”

Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, said: “IUCN welcomes this important advisory opinion, which strengthens the global legal framework and reinforces the urgent imperative to limit warming to 1.5 °C. IUCN has been actively engaged at every stage of these historical proceedings and congratulates the ICJ on this key decision that will shape the future of our planet.

“Climate change is not only a crisis of rising temperatures; it is a crisis for both humanity and nature with profound implications for human rights.  By undermining ecosystems, climate change weakens the life-support systems upon which people’s rights to life, health, food, water, and culture depend. As the global authority on the state of nature, IUCN urges all States to strengthen their commitments – recognising that protecting nature is not just part of the solution, it is essential to delivering climate justice and safeguarding our collective future.”

Dean Bhekumuzi, Campaigner at Don’t Gas Africa, said: “This is a legal and moral breakthrough. For the first time, the highest legal authority on the planet has confirmed what so many communities, especially in Africa and the Global South, have been saying for decades: climate harm is not just a tragedy, it’s a violation of international law. This is an extraordinary shift that means the climate crisis isn’t just a political or economic issue anymore.

“It’s a legal one that opens the door to consequences. States that ignore science, delay action or bankroll fossil fuels are now exposed and could soon be in courtrooms. For African nations experiencing climate-induced extreme weather events, this gives us a legal foundation to demand justice. The ruling validates Africa’s lived reality and gives frontline communities a powerful new tool to hold major emitters accountable.”

Cristina Rumbaitis, Senior Advisor on Adaptation and Resilience at UN Foundation, noted: “The ICJ ruling is a victory not only for vulnerable countries but all of humanity. It is an important reckoning with the reality of climate change. It recognises what so many vulnerable countries and people around the world already know – that climate change is already here, threatening lives, livelihoods and imposing suffering on those who did the least to cause this problem.

“It recognises that countries must now invest in adapting to the impacts of climate change. This is no longer a choice, but a vital priority and an obligation of those that did the most to cause this problem to support vulnerable countries in adapting to this new reality.”

Bertha Argueta, Senior Policy Advisor on Climate Finance and Development at Germanwatch, observed: “The advisory opinion has confirmed what climate justice campaigners and civil society organisations have been saying for decades. That states, especially those most historically responsible for the climate crisis, have the legal obligations to stop, repair and compensate vulnerable communities for the damages they have caused.

“This includes clear obligations to support adaptation efforts and provide reparations to those affected by the climate crisis, including by providing climate finance. Civil society will continue to push for these obligations to become a reality with renewed legitimacy and strength.” 

According to observers, the announcement comes at a time of unprecedented climate upheaval, marked by extreme weather events and record-breaking heating. These impacts, they stated, underscore the urgent need for decisive action and reinforce the importance of holding major polluters accountable for their contributions to this intersectional crisis. The advisory opinion must compel rapid fossil fuel phase outs and the necessity for climate finance, including reparations for loss and damage.

Across the globe, diverse movements are uniting in the face of intersecting crises. As climate change intensifies alongside rising living costs and ongoing conflicts worldwide, communities are coming together to demand systemic change and a just future for all. 

Protesters bring ‘Planet in Crisis’ to COP30 headquarters in Belém

Michael Simire
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Protesters bring ‘Planet in Crisis’ to COP30 headquarters in Belém

On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, representatives of Indigenous peoples, traditional communities, and social movements from across the Amazon held a demonstration in front of the construction site of COP30 in Belém, sending a clear message to global leaders: the solutions to the climate crisis already exist and are practiced daily by Indigenous and traditional peoples in Brazil and around the world.

COP30
Protestors at COP30 site in Belém, Brazil

The action, staged in front of the future Blue Zone – the official venue for the UN climate negotiations – marked the launch of the “Declaration of the Amazon Peoples’ Gathering for COP30: The Answer is Us,” a collectively written political statement. In the centre of the protest stood a globe melting and stained with oil, symbolising the urgency of the climate crisis.

Around it, leaders held messages such as “The Climate Won’t Wait – It’s Time to Act,” “The Answer is Us,” “Draw The Line,” and “Keep the Forest Standing, Leave Oil and Gas Underground.” This declaration is supported by the global climate movement, which is organizing a week of action in September called Draw The Line, when thousands will take to the streets to demand real climate action.

The protest comes at a critical moment in Brazil, as movements call on President Lula to veto Bill 2159/21 – known as the “Devastation Bill” – which would represent one of the most significant rollbacks to environmental protection in Brazil since the military dictatorship.

“For us Indigenous peoples, for Brazil’s Indigenous movement, for social movements, and for everyone committed to defending the environment and biodiversity – especially in this moment of climate emergency – the approval of this bill goes against everything humanity is fighting for in terms of sustainable solutions,” said Kleber Karipuna, Executive Coordinator of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB).

Toya Manchineri, General Coordinator of COIAB, highlighted one of the bill’s most dangerous aspects: removing the role of institutions like Funai from the environmental licensing process. “This leaves thousands of Indigenous communities vulnerable, with no mechanisms to defend themselves or participate in decisions that directly affect their territories, ways of life, and well-being,” he said.

Sila Mesquita Apurinã, General Coordinator of the GTA Network, emphasised the need for unity: “We already have many climate authorities living in our territories – people who know how to face the climate crisis. If world leaders don’t know what to do, we do. We, Indigenous leaders, traditional communities, and social movements, are the answer. Our territories and ways of life are the solution. That’s why we’re joining forces in this permanent mobilization and reaffirming our fight for life.”

Amazonian peoples demand protection and a seat at the decisions table

In the “Declaration of the Amazon Peoples’ Gathering for COP30: The Answer is Us,” social and Indigenous movements demand recognition and protection of their territories; an immediate end to destructive exploitation; meaningful participation in decision-making forums; recognition of the Amazon as a common good of humanity; direct climate finance for forest and riverine peoples; and an end to violence against those who defend the forest. The declaration – signed by 19 organizations – will be delivered to the COP30 Presidency.

Read the full “Declaration of the Amazon Peoples’ Gathering for COP30: The Answer is Us” 

Climate action: Jigawa targets illegal logging, group inaugurates tree planting campaign

Michael Simire
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Climate action: Jigawa targets illegal logging, group inaugurates tree planting campaign

The Jigawa State Government has warned against the use of unauthorised chainsaws to fell trees, threatening offenders with fines and jail terms.

Umar Namadi
Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa State

Dr Abdullahi Umar-Namadi, Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Environment, issued the warning while speaking to newsmen after a tree planting campaign in Dutse, the state capital.

The campaign was organised by the Partnership for Development Action (PADAC) Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

PADAC, a focal NGO of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), is spearheading a 100,000-tree planting initiative across the state.

Umar-Namadi said the state government had reviewed its environmental law to curb indiscriminate tree felling, adding that the revised law was currently before the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

“It is the policy of the state government to make Jigawa green, and this cannot be achieved unless seedlings are properly cared for,” he said.

“In addition, we are committed to maintaining the existing trees.

“If you fail to preserve the trees already planted while only focusing on new ones, and people continue to destroy the existing ones, then progress will be impossible,” he added.

“To address this, the state’s environmental law has been reviewed and is currently before the State House of Assembly for deliberation, pending final assent by His Excellency.

“Once enacted, no one will be allowed to use a chainsaw to fell trees without official approval.”

“Any chainsaw found in use without authorisation will be confiscated and become the property of the Jigawa Government,” he warned.

The permanent secretary added that any tree cut down without authorisation will attract a fine of N100,00/one year jail or both.

According to him, laws are not made to punish offenders, but to deter people from committing offences.

“This is the only way to make Jigawa green. So it not enough to plant trees, but maintain and nurture to maturity because this the only way we can enjoy the fruit of our efforts,” he said.

The permanent secretary, who described the NGO’s gesture as very “good development”, emphasised the need for benefiting communities to maintain to nurture the planted seedlings to maturity to ensure sustainable environment.

Alhaji Mustafa Aminu, a senior member of the Dutse Emirate Council, noted that trees served as windbreakers and help improve air quality.

He urged parents, especially mothers, to instill the culture of tree planting in their children to promote a greener environment.

Blessing Tagaino, Programme Officer of the NGO, said the seedlings planted were climate-resilient species capable of mitigating the effects of climate change in the state.

She added that the initiative was part of the NGO’s 2025 tree planting campaign, “which aims to plant 1,500 seedlings along three selected roads in Dutse, the state capital”.

In a related development, A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Bridge That Gap, has inaugurated a large-scale tree planting campaign in Kudenda community, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Kaduna, Mr. Zinta Akpoko, Programme Officer of Bridge That Gap, said the initiative was a move to combat climate change and promote greener environment in the state.

The initiative, which saw enthusiastic participation from local residents, aimed to plant hundreds of trees across the community.

Akpoko said the campaign was designed to help restore environmental balance, curb the effects of global warming, and promote sustainable living.

“Our aim is to plant as many trees as possible in Kudenda. Climate change is not a distant threat, it is already affecting us.

“By planting trees, we are taking a simple but powerful step to protect our environment and our future,” he said.

The traditional ruler of Kudenda, Mr. Gabriel Galadima, welcomed the initiative and praised the organisation’s commitment to grassroots development.

“I thank Bridge That Gap for bringing this important campaign to our chiefdom. It is a blessing to our people and a step in the right direction towards a healthier and greener Kudenda,” Galadima stated.

Some beneficiaries of the tree seedlings, Sarki Syprian and Juli Jude, expressed gratitude to the NGO.

Syprian noted that the campaign brought hope to communities often overlooked in environmental efforts.

“This campaign is a great gift to our community. We are grateful and we urge other organisations to emulate this noble initiative,” he advised.

On her part, Jude, observed that planting trees “are planting life for tomorrow.”

While thanking Bridge That Gap for the initiative, Jude encouraged other NGOs to spread their tentacles to grassroots communities with similar impactful programmes.

The campaign is designed to continue over the coming weeks, with plans to expand the initiative to neighbouring communities, reinforcing the message that local action could drive global change.

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir and Sani Idris

As Nigerian youths rise against tobacco abuse

Michael Simire
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0
As Nigerian youths rise against tobacco abuse

By happenstance, 16-year-old Blessing Obiabo found herself on the frontline of a national movement.

Obiabo, a student of Lyngra Private Montessori School in Karu, Nasarawa State, found her voice the day Cedars Refuge Foundation (CRF) brought its anti-tobacco campaign to her school.

tobacco smoking
According to scientists, tobacco smoking is dangerous to health

“We are not fools; this is our future, and we are taking it back,” she said.

Obiabo’s declaration mirrors a growing wave of youth-led resistance sweeping across Nigeria, fueled by the CRF’s Students Congress Against Tobacco (SCAT) initiative.

The programme, inaugurated under the banner of a “Tobacco-free Revolution,” is a response to what CRF describes as a calculated and aggressive invasion by the tobacco industry into the lives of young Nigerians.

The Executive Director of CRF, Mr Peter Unekwu-Ojo, minced no words at the campaign inauguration in Karu.

“The tobacco industry is a well-dressed cartel selling flavoured slavery.

“They are not selling lifestyle; they are selling addiction, bubble-wrapped in mango flourish and influencer smiles.”

According to Unekwu-Ojo, the tactics of the tobacco industry have become more deceptive than ever.

“Gone are the days of plain cigarettes; in their place are brightly-packaged e-cigarettes, vapes, and other nicotine products, flavoured, flashy, and dangerously appealing to teenagers.

“It is the same poison, just packaged in sleek tech and tropical flavours.

“These flavoured products, often promoted through digital marketing and pop culture influencers, create the illusion of harmless fun, masking the reality of addiction and long-term health consequences.”

The SCAT programme, now active in several schools across Nasarawa and Abuja, was created to expose and counter these tactics.

It promotes in-school advocacy, peer-led clubs, creative campaigns, and dialogues with teachers, parents, and community leaders.

Unekwu-Ojo emphasised the call for urgent reforms, including a nationwide ban on flavoured tobacco and nicotine products, higher tobacco taxes, strict penalties for marketing to minors, and the enforcement of school-based prevention programmes.

“If we do not protect the future in classrooms, we will be fighting addiction in clinics,” he warned.

Mr. Abba Owoicho, CRF’s Programme/Operations Officer, weighed in.

“We are witnessing a silent epidemic thriving on ignorance and regulatory loopholes.

“SCAT is not just a campaign; it is a counter-offensive,” he said.

At the school level, educators are stepping up.

Mrs. Blessing Onu, Head Teacher at Lyngra, welcomed the initiative.

“Our students will not be left defenceless in the face of such a manipulative industry,” she said, announcing the establishment of a Tobacco-Free Club in the school.

Mr. Pius Nnaemeka, a senior teacher, appealed directly to national authorities.

“If we continue to play soft while our children inhale poison, history will not forgive us.

“The government must outlaw flavoured tobacco, fund preventive education, and support civil society groups championing this cause,” he said.

These school-based actions are mirrored across other institutions.

At Klinnicaps Academy in Koroduma, another CRF outreach event themed “Exposing Lies, Protecting Lives” engaged students in interactive sessions that peeled back the façade of flavoured products.

Unekwu-Ojo told the students that the industries were setting young people up against their future.

“They sandwich their products with glamorous colourful packaging and high-profile adverts, hiding the dangerous consequences of addiction.”

He described the educational sessions as a wake-up call.

“Tobacco use is not a fashion statement; it is a death sentence disguised in shiny colours,” he said.

Mr. John Egla, Executive Director of Development Initiatives for Societal Health, reinforced the message: “There is no safe level of smoking.”

He cited global statistics from the 2018 Tobacco Atlas, noting that more than 942 million men and 175 million women worldwide smoke, with rising usage among African youth.

In response, CRF is establishing Tobacco-Free Clubs in at least 10 more schools in Nasarawa State, equipping students with peer leadership and advocacy tools.

The message is resonating beyond classrooms.

In Katsina State, the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Musa Adamu-Funtua, recently stressed the importance of school-based campaigns.

Speaking during World Tobacco Day celebrations, he warned that a society that allowed the exploitation of its youth by profit-driven tobacco companies is a society at risk.

Adamu-Funtua urged joint efforts among government agencies, civil society, parents and youths.

“Let us choose health over harm, strength over addiction,” he said.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has also thrown its weight behind tobacco control.

At a recent workshop in Bauchi, its Senior Programme Officer, Mr Solomon Adoga, highlighted tobacco’s role in multiple cancers and reproductive health challenges.

“Tobacco significantly contributes to Nigeria’s cancer burden,” he said.

CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, called for urgent policy reforms, stronger laws, and intensified awareness campaigns to stem tobacco-related deaths.

Beyond the halls of policy and classrooms, the anti-tobacco wave is being carried by mothers.

In Ilorin, Kwara, a march led by Bundies Care Support Initiative and other groups amplified maternal voices demanding action.

Mrs. Funmilayo Osiegbu, Executive Director of the initiative, sounded a note of warning.

“We cannot stand by while our children are exposed to harmful tobacco products.

“We are urging the government to enact policies that shield young people.”

Inspired by international campaigns such as Tobacco-Free Jordan, the Kwara mothers demanded full implementation of Nigeria’s National Tobacco Control Act.

“This includes stricter enforcement of bans on advertising and sponsorship, and stronger measures to prevent youth access,” she said.

Kwara’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Afolashade Opeyemi, reaffirmed government’s support.

“The administration has zero tolerance for smoking any substance,” she said.

Also, health experts lend their support.

Prof. Abiodun Afolayan, Chair of the Nigeria Cancer Society in Kwara, warned that lung cancer had become the most common cancer worldwide, driven largely by smoking.

“Often, the damage only appears when it is too late,” he said.

Mr. Lekan Mikail, Special Adviser on Drug Abuse to the Kwara Governor, urged parents to stay vigilant.

“We must protect our children from this slow and silent killer,” he said.

As the SCAT initiative prepares to expand to 30 schools by 2025, it is clear that a national youth-driven movement is taking root.

From Obiabo’s defiance to policymakers’ endorsements, Nigeria is witnessing a shift in its tobacco control landscape.

But for CRF’s Unekwu-Ojo, the work is far from over.

“Every child deserves a future free from the industry’s traps, flavoured nicotine, flashy adverts, and peer-induced pressure,” he said.

His words echo in classrooms, streets, and government chambers across the country; the call is no longer just to awareness, but to action.

Mrs. Precious Ojiaku, Dean of Studies at Klinnicaps Academy, said tobacco had no place in the future of Nigerian youth.

“Living a morally grounded life and rejecting these traps is the strongest resistance we can teach,” she said.

With the ongoing concerted efforts, stakeholders believe the threat posed by tobacco can be contained.

By Abiemwense Moru, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Five deaths in Italy as heatwave paralyses parts of southern Europe

Michael Simire
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0
Five deaths in Italy as heatwave paralyses parts of southern Europe

Five deaths have been reported in Italy as extreme heat continues to affect parts of southern Europe.

Europe heatwave
Tourists in Rome struggle in the heat. Photo credit: AFP/Getty

By 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, temperatures had already exceeded 30 degrees Celsius in Sicily.

Turkey and Greece were also experiencing high temperatures, with the Turkish city of Istanbul reaching 36 degrees Celsius and the Greek island of Lesbos 38 degrees Celsius by the same time.

In Athens, the Acropolis and other popular ancient sites were to be closed during the midday hours.

Delivery service employees, construction workers and agricultural workers have also been instructed to stop work.

Greek law requires such measures for outdoor work when temperatures climb above 40 degrees Celsius, as is expected on Wednesday and in the coming days.

Doctors have warned that elderly people and small children in particular should not spend time outdoors, that people should drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.

The Italian authorities said there have been at least five deaths in the southern Apulia region alone in the last few days that could be related to the high temperatures.

In Palermo, the capital of Sicily, the highest heat alert level is in effect.

Heat warnings are also in place in more than a dozen other cities.

A high-pressure area from Africa, which meteorologists have named Kamel, is expected to bring temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius to the south of Italy.

Turkey is also groaning under the heat.

On Tuesday, temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius were recorded in six of the country’s 81 provinces, and temperatures are expected to climb even higher on Wednesday.

The heat is compounded by drought, which allows forest fires to spread more quickly.

The emergency services are currently battling three active fires.

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