On March 29 of this year, 130 States of the UN General Assembly approved the adoption of a Resolution requesting the International Court of Justice – ICJ, the main judicial body of the UN, an advisory opinion regarding the obligation of States to adopt measures to counter climate change in defense of human rights.

In the resolution, the General Assembly requests that the ICJ clarify the legal consequences that States will have to face if, by act or omission, they cause serious damage to the climate system and/or other elements of the environment. In addition, the ICJ is requested to explain the legal obligations of States to maintain the climate system and control anthropogenic emissions, in favor of present and future generations.

While the opinions of the ICJ are not binding, they do influence domestic policies, as well as international and national jurisprudence and doctrine.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights defines it as a landmark resolution, which will serve to define the obligations of States and protect human rights in the face of climate change.