"Protecting the climate is a duty": historic UN decision points the finger at polluting states

With 141 votes in favor, the United Nations General Assembly has approved a historic resolution reinforcing the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July 2025 that states have a duty to protect the climate and environment from greenhouse gas emissions.

The milestone could mark a turning point in international climate law and pave the way forward for further legal action against governments and the fossil fuel industry. Behind the scenes lies the diplomatic work of Vanuatu, a small Pacific island state among the most vulnerable to sea-level rise and extreme weather events. For years, this country has been leading an international battle for recognition of the legal responsibility of states in the face of the climate crisis.

The resolution was adopted after intense negotiations and several attempts at amendment. Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Yemen voted against. Twenty-eight countries abstained.

By adopting a resolution confirming the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on climate change, the General Assembly has laid a solid foundation for climate-related legal action and reinforced a clear political course for governments, thereby giving political recognition to obligations that the Court described as "existing" under international law, WWF points out. An important step in transforming legal principles into concrete action for the benefit of people, nature and future generations.

What the The Hague Court had established

In July 2025, the Court laid down a principle that is destined to become a precedent: States have an obligation to prevent significant damage to the climate system caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

And that's not all. According to the Court, if a country violates these obligations, it can be held legally responsible and compelled to:

• put an end to the unlawful conduct
• provide guarantees of non-repetition
• make full reparation for the damage caused.

Although the advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice are not formally binding, they carry enormous legal and political weight, and help to define international law.

"The highest court in the world has spoken. Today, the General Assembly has responded," said Guterres after the vote.

According to the Secretary-General, the resolution sends an unequivocal signal: the climate crisis can no longer be tackled with vague promises or endless postponements.

The text calls on all UN member states to :

• take all possible measures to avoid serious damage to the climate ;
• respect commitments already made under the Paris Agreement;
• cooperate in good faith in the global fight against climate change;
• ensure that climate policies protect fundamental rights such as health, life and dignified living conditions.

The decision could have very concrete repercussions. In recent years, climate lawsuits against governments and fossil fuel multinationals have multiplied and brought forward by citizens, environmental associations and indigenous communities.

With this resolution, those who denounce climate inaction will have new international legal support to bring before the courts.

According to many observers, the UN vote also reinforces the principle of "climate justice": the countries and populations least responsible for emissions are often those who pay the highest price in terms of droughts, floods, loss of territory and food insecurity. M. Guterres reaffirmed that the way forward lay in "a rapid, just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies", recalling that renewables now represent "the cheapest and safest form of energy".

He reiterated a message that has become increasingly delicate in recent years: limiting global warming to 1.5°C is still possible, but the time to act is rapidly running out.

Source : UN