www.hrw.org
Open in
urlscan Pro
2620:12a:8000::2
Public Scan
URL:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/12/02/world-court-considers-climate-change
Submission: On December 16 via api from US — Scanned from CH
Submission: On December 16 via api from US — Scanned from CH
Form analysis 6 forms found in the DOM
GET /sitesearch
<form class="search-form" action="/sitesearch" method="get" id="search_form_143353488" accept-charset="UTF-8">
<div class="flex">
<div class="form-item form-type-textfield inline-block flex-grow">
<label class="sr-only text-white" for="apachesolr_panels_search_form_1436463250">Search</label>
<input title="Enter the terms you wish to search for." type="text" id="apachesolr_panels_search_form_1436463250" name="search" value="" size="15" maxlength="128"
class="form-text relative bg-gray-700 text-white h-8 py-1 px-2 text-sm font-light w-full">
</div>
<button type="submit" value="Search" title="Search" class="form-submit inline-flex justify-center h-8 w-8 bg-gray-900 hover-focus:bg-black text-white xl:bg-gray-800">
<div class="icon fill-current self-center w-4 inline-block">
<svg viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="currentColor" role="img" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true">
<use xlink:href="/themes/custom/hrw_design/dist/app-drupal/assets/spritemap.svg?cacheBuster=240611#sprite-search"></use>
</svg>
</div>
</button>
</div>
</form>GET /sitesearch
<form action="/sitesearch" method="get" accept-charset="UTF-8" class="mobile_menu__search_form">
<label for="mobile_menu__search" class="sr-only">Search</label>
<input type="search" name="search" placeholder="Search hrw.org" id="mobile_menu__search" class="mobile_menu__search_input" autocomplete="off" aria-required="true" required="">
<button aria-label="Search" type="submit" aria-polite="live" data-component-id="hrw_components:button" class="hrw-button mobile_menu__search_button">
<!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?-->
<svg id="Layer_1" data-name="Layer 1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" height="24">
<defs>
<style>
.cls-1 {
fill: #0072ce;
stroke-width: 0px;
}
</style>
</defs>
<path class="cls-1" d="M15.5,13.5c.7-1.1,1.1-2.4,1.1-3.7,0-3.8-3.1-6.9-6.9-6.9s-6.9,3.1-6.9,6.9,3.1,6.9,6.9,6.9,2.6-.4,3.7-1.1l4.6,4.6,2.1-2.1-4.6-4.6ZM9.8,13.7c-2.2,0-4-1.8-4-4s1.8-4,4-4,4,1.8,4,4-1.8,4-4,4Z"></path>
</svg>
</button>
</form>GET /sitesearch
<form action="/sitesearch" method="get" accept-charset="UTF-8" class="mobile_menu__search_form">
<label for="mobile_menu__search" class="sr-only">Search</label>
<input type="search" name="search" placeholder="Search hrw.org" id="mobile_menu__search" class="mobile_menu__search_input" autocomplete="off" aria-required="true" required="">
<button aria-label="Search" type="submit" aria-polite="live" data-component-id="hrw_components:button" class="hrw-button mobile_menu__search_button">
<!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?-->
<svg id="Layer_1" data-name="Layer 1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" height="24">
<defs>
<style>
.cls-1 {
fill: #0072ce;
stroke-width: 0px;
}
</style>
</defs>
<path class="cls-1" d="M15.5,13.5c.7-1.1,1.1-2.4,1.1-3.7,0-3.8-3.1-6.9-6.9-6.9s-6.9,3.1-6.9,6.9,3.1,6.9,6.9,6.9,2.6-.4,3.7-1.1l4.6,4.6,2.1-2.1-4.6-4.6ZM9.8,13.7c-2.2,0-4-1.8-4-4s1.8-4,4-4,4,1.8,4,4-1.8,4-4,4Z"></path>
</svg>
</button>
</form>GET https://donate.hrw.org/page/107245/donate/1
<form action="https://donate.hrw.org/page/107245/donate/1" id="donation-block__form" class="donation-block__form" method="get">
<input type="hidden" name="transaction.recurrpay" value="N">
<input type="hidden" name="ea.tracking.id" value="EP2022EVpgnewscta">
<div class="flex flex-wrap">
<div class="donation-block__form-toggle w-1/2 sm:w-1/3 p-px">
<div class="toggle">
<input id="$50" name="Donation Amount" type="radio" value="50">
<label for="$50" class="block relative z-10 w-full py-2 border border-white bg-white text-center text-gray-800 text-xl leading-tight font-bold cursor-pointer sm:text-2xl">$50</label>
</div>
</div>
<div class="donation-block__form-toggle w-1/2 sm:w-1/3 p-px">
<div class="toggle">
<input id="$100" name="Donation Amount" type="radio" value="100">
<label for="$100" class="block relative z-10 w-full py-2 border border-white bg-white text-center text-gray-800 text-xl leading-tight font-bold cursor-pointer sm:text-2xl">$100</label>
</div>
</div>
<div class="donation-block__form-toggle w-1/2 sm:w-1/3 p-px">
<div class="toggle">
<input id="$250" name="Donation Amount" type="radio" value="250">
<label for="$250" class="block relative z-10 w-full py-2 border border-white bg-white text-center text-gray-800 text-xl leading-tight font-bold cursor-pointer sm:text-2xl">$250</label>
</div>
</div>
<div class="donation-block__form-toggle w-1/2 sm:w-1/3 p-px">
<div class="toggle">
<input id="$500" name="Donation Amount" type="radio" value="500">
<label for="$500" class="block relative z-10 w-full py-2 border border-white bg-white text-center text-gray-800 text-xl leading-tight font-bold cursor-pointer sm:text-2xl">$500</label>
</div>
</div>
<div class="donation-block__form-toggle w-1/2 sm:w-1/3 p-px">
<div class="toggle">
<input id="$1000" name="Donation Amount" type="radio" value="1000">
<label for="$1000" class="block relative z-10 w-full py-2 border border-white bg-white text-center text-gray-800 text-xl leading-tight font-bold cursor-pointer sm:text-2xl">$1000</label>
</div>
</div>
<div class="donation-block__form-toggle other-input w-1/2 sm:w-1/3 p-px">
<div class="toggle">
<input id="Other" name="Donation Amount" type="radio" value="">
<label for="Other" class="block relative z-10 w-full py-2 border border-white bg-white text-center text-gray-800 text-xl leading-tight font-bold cursor-pointer sm:text-2xl">Other</label>
<label class="other-input-prefix hidden" for="OtherInput">$</label>
<input class="block w-full py-2 border border-gray-200 bg-blue-700 text-white text-center text-xl leading-tight font-bold cursor-pointer sm:text-2xl hidden" id="OtherInput" aria-label="Other amount" type="text" inputmode="numeric"
pattern="[0-9]*">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="donation-block__form-action p-px">
<button type="submit" value="Donate Now" class="uppercase btn btn-secondary btn-xl-sm w-full" form="donation-block__form">
<span class="btn-text ">Donate Now</span>
</button>
</div>
</form>POST /hrw-newsletter/subscribe
<form id="rollup-DB-signup-on-inline-page" class="footer--sticky--form flex relative" action="/hrw-newsletter/subscribe" method="post" data-signup-id="signup">
<label class="absolute text-md text-white w-full" for="supporterEmailAddress">Enter an email address</label>
<input name="supporter.emailAddress" id="supporterEmailAddress" class="form-text form-email" type="email" size="18" required="">
<div class="hidden">
<label class="absolute text-md text-white w-full" for="supporterFirstName">Leave blank</label>
<input type="text" name="supporter.firstName" id="supporterFirstName" class="form-text" autocomplete="off">
<label class="absolute text-md text-white w-full" for="supporterLastName">Leave blank</label>
<input type="text" name="supporter.lastName" id="supporterLastName" class="form-text" autocomplete="off">
<label class="absolute text-md text-white w-full" for="supporterCountry">Leave blank</label>
<input type="text" name="supporter.country" id="supporterCountry" class="form-text" autocomplete="off">
<input type="hidden" name="hp" value="supporter.country">
</div>
<input name="supporter.questions.96991" type="hidden" value="Y">
<input checked="checked" name="supporter.questions.1748" type="hidden" value="Y">
<input type="hidden" name="subscribeTo" value="a2X3i0000001NmbEAE">
<input type="hidden" name="subscribemd" value="1">
<input type="hidden" name="source" value="hrw_newsletter_rollup">
<input type="hidden" name="origin" value="Www_News_Rollup">
<input type="hidden" name="submitF" value="true">
<input type="submit" class="form-submit" value="Sign up" onclick="if (!this.form.reportValidity()) {return false;} this.form.submit(); this.disabled = true;">
</form>POST /hrw-newsletter/subscribe
<form id="footer-alt-signup" action="/hrw-newsletter/subscribe" class="signup-form__form flex flex-wrap" method="post">
<input type="email" autocomplete="email" class="signup-form__input bg-gray-800 px-2 py-1 text-sm text-white" name="supporter.emailAddress" id="signup-email-address" required="" placeholder="Enter an email address">
<div class="hidden">
<label class="absolute text-md text-white w-full" for="supporterFirstName">Leave blank</label>
<input type="text" name="supporter.firstName" id="supporterFirstName" class="form-text" autocomplete="off">
<label class="absolute text-md text-white w-full" for="supporterLastName">Leave blank</label>
<input type="text" name="supporter.lastName" id="supporterLastName" class="form-text" autocomplete="off">
<label class="absolute text-md text-white w-full" for="supporterCountry">Leave blank</label>
<input type="text" name="supporter.country" id="supporterCountry" class="form-text" autocomplete="off">
<input type="hidden" name="hp" value="supporter.country">
</div>
<button type="submit" value="Sign Up" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm" onclick="if (!this.form.reportValidity()) {return false;} this.form.submit(); this.disabled = true;">
<span class="btn-text ">Sign Up</span>
</button>
<input name="supporter.questions.96991" type="hidden" value="Y">
<input checked="checked" name="supporter.questions.1748" type="hidden" value="Y">
<input type="hidden" name="subscribeTo" value="a2X3i0000001NmbEAE">
<input type="hidden" name="subscribemd" value="1">
<input type="hidden" name="source" value="hrw_footer">
<input type="hidden" name="origin" value="Www_Global_Footer">
<input type="hidden" name="submitF" value="true">
</form>Text Content
Skip to cookie privacy notice Skip to main content
* العربية
* 简中
* 繁中
* English
* Français
* Deutsch
* 日本語
* Português
* Русский
* Español
* More languages
Search
Donate Now
* Countries
* Topics
* Reports
* Videos & Photos
* Impact
* Take Action
* About
* Join Us
* Give Now
* Countries
* Topics
* Reports
* Video & Photos
* Impact
* Take Action
* Join Us
* About
* Give Now
//
* Countries
* Topics
* Reports
* Video & Photos
* Impact
* Take Action
* Join Us
* About
* Give Now
Search
PRIMARY NAVIGATION
Countries
Africa
All Africa
Angola
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Côte d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
Ethiopia
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Kenya
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritius
Mozambique
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Americas
All Americas
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
Venezuela
Asia
All Asia
Afghanistan
Australia
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia
China and Tibet
Fiji
India
Indonesia
Japan
Laos
Malaysia
Maldives
Myanmar (Burma)
Nauru
Nepal
North Korea
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Singapore
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Vietnam
Europe/Central Asia
All Europe/Central Asia
Albania
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
European Union
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Holy See
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Serbia/Kosovo
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Türkiye
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Uzbekistan
Middle East/North Africa
All Middle East/North Africa
Algeria
Bahrain
Egypt
Iran
Iraq
Israel/Palestine
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Mauritania
Morocco/Western Sahara
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
United States
All United States
Criminal Justice
Democracy
Economic Justice
Immigrants’ Rights and Border Policy
Racial Justice
US Foreign Policy
Topics
Arms
Children's Rights
Crisis and Conflict
Disability Rights
Economic Justice and Rights
Environment and Human Rights
Free Speech
Health
LGBT Rights
Refugees and Migrants
Rights of Older People
International Justice
Technology and Rights
Terrorism / Counterterrorism
Torture
United Nations
Women's Rights
Reports
Video & Photos
Impact
Take Action
Join Us
Our Committees
Film Festival
Newsletters
Legacies for Justice
Voices for Justice
About
Careers
About Us
People
Social Media
Human Rights Education
Financials and Fundraising Policy
Accessibility
Contact
Give Now
Make a One-time Gift
Give Monthly
Gifts in Wills and Trusts
Partners for Justice
Stock or Wire Transfer
Give from Your IRA
Donate Now
Search
English
Choose your language
العربية 简中 繁中 English Français Deutsch 日本語 Português Русский Español
More Languages
Donate Now
Trending Syria Israel/Palestine Sudan Russia-Ukraine War Trump’s Return
Tigray Conflict
Would you like to read this page in another language?
Yes No, don't ask again
✕ Close
Would you like to see a version of this page that loads faster by showing text
only?
Yes No, don't ask again
✕ Close
Human Rights Watch
WORLD COURT CONSIDERS CLIMATE CHANGE
Print
Donate Now
December 2, 2024 2:22PM EST | Dispatches
Available In
* English
* Français
* Español
WORLD COURT CONSIDERS CLIMATE CHANGE
Hearings Begin in Advisory Opinion on State Obligations
Richard Pearshouse
Director, Environment and Human Rights
RPearshouse
RPearshouse
Share this via Facebook Share this via X Other ways to share
Share this via WhatsApp Share this via Email Share this via LinkedIn Share this
via Reddit Share this via Telegram Share this via Printer
Click to expand Image
The International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, opens hearings
into the legal obligations of countries with respect to combating climate change
on December 2, 2024. © 2024 Peter Dejong/AP Photo
Over the next two weeks, over 100 countries and international organizations will
participate in hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague
as part of historic proceedings on climate change.
The ICJ, also known as the World Court, will consider states’ obligations under
international law to address rising greenhouse gas emissions and the legal
consequences should they fail to do so. The court may look to various sources of
international law, including environmental and human rights treaties, during its
deliberations.
The ICJ’s legal opinion is expected in 2025.
Tireless campaigning by youth activist groups – led by the Pacific Islands
Students Fighting Climate Change and World’s Youth for Climate Justice – and
diplomatic efforts by the island nation of Vanuatu resulted in these oral
proceedings at the World Court.
In March 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution
recognizing climate change as “an unprecedented challenge of civilizational
proportions” and requesting an ICJ advisory opinion.
Although ICJ advisory opinions are nonbinding, they can carry great moral and
legal authority and can ultimately become part of customary international law,
which is legally binding.
Every UN member state is obligated to protect and promote human rights and
prevent rights violations in the context of climate change. Additionally, every
country that is a party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change has
ratified one or more major UN human rights treaties, and the Paris Agreement on
Climate Change explicitly states that respect for human rights is key to taking
ambitious climate action.
International human rights law obligates governments to protect people from
current and foreseeable climate-related harms. Human rights standards place
tighter controls on corporate actors that drive greenhouse gas emissions and
contribute to harm.
While many governments have pledged to phase out fossil fuels and protect
tropical forests, this doesn’t mean they will do so in a timely or effective
manner. International human rights law can help to hold to account those
governments that don’t comply with or enforce existing environmental regulations
and climate policies that contribute to violations of human rights.
One question – among many – that an ICJ Advisory Opinion could help clarify is
when delays or even backtracking amounts to a violation of international human
rights law.
The court’s opinion will have great significance for millions already impacted
by climate change, and many more who face harm in the immediate future.
YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFT CAN HELP STOP HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND SAVE LIVES
AROUND THE WORLD.
$50
$100
$250
$500
$1000
Other $
Donate Now
Topic
* Climate Change
* Environment and Human Rights
* International Justice
MORE READING
* December 2, 2024 News Release
ICC: MEMBER STATES SHOULD ACT TO PROTECT JUSTICE
* November 27, 2024 Dispatches
CHINA STATE BANK SHOULDN’T BACK EAST AFRICAN CRUDE OIL PIPELINE
REPORTS
* August 21, 2024 Report
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN THE US WILDFIRE CRISIS
Insights From Health Workers in Oregon State
* July 31, 2024 Report
“IT’S LIKE KILLING CULTURE”
Human Rights Impacts of Relocating Tanzania’s Maasai
MORE READING
* December 2, 2024 News Release
ICC: MEMBER STATES SHOULD ACT TO PROTECT JUSTICE
* November 27, 2024 Dispatches
CHINA STATE BANK SHOULDN’T BACK EAST AFRICAN CRUDE OIL PIPELINE
MOST VIEWED
1. December 15, 2024 Report
SUDAN: FIGHTERS RAPE WOMEN AND GIRLS, HOLD SEX SLAVES
2. December 16, 2015 News Release
SYRIA: STORIES BEHIND PHOTOS OF KILLED DETAINEES
3. August 29, 2024 Dispatches
SOUTH KOREA’S DIGITAL SEX CRIME DEEPFAKE CRISIS
4. December 10, 2024 Report
SUDAN: WAR CRIMES IN SOUTH KORDOFAN
5. December 14, 2024 News Release
SOUTH KOREA: PRESIDENT IMPEACHED FOR ABUSE OF POWER
Share this via Facebook Share this via X Other ways to share
Share this via WhatsApp Share this via Email Share this via LinkedIn Share this
via Reddit Share this via Telegram Share this via Printer
PROTECTING RIGHTS, SAVING LIVES
Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people in close to 100 countries
worldwide, spotlighting abuses and bringing perpetrators to justice
Donate Now
Get the world’s top human rights news, every day.
Enter an email address
Leave blank Leave blank Leave blank
Processing..
Thank you for signing up!
An error occurred while subscribing your email address. Please try again.
Get Daily Updates On Rights Issues Worldwide
Leave blank Leave blank Leave blank
Sign Up
CONNECT WITH US
* X
* Facebook
* YouTube
* Instagram
* LinkedIn
* TikTok
FOOTER MENU
* Contact Us
* Corrections
* Privacy Policy
* Permissions
* Site Map
* Child Safeguarding
Text Version
© 2024 Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch | 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor | New York, NY 10118-3299 USA
| t 1.212.290.4700
Human Rights Watch is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit registered in the US under EIN:
13-2875808
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch cookie preferences
Human Rights Watch values your privacy, and we care about how your personal data
is used and shared online. We use cookies and similar technologies for marketing
and analytics purposes. To allow us to disclose your personal data to third
parties for such purposes, click ‘Accept.’ You will not be tracked unless you
choose to allow us to do so. Read our privacy policy.
Accept Decline Privacy policy