"A landmark milestone for climate action." On Wednesday, July 23, Vanuatu's climate minister, Ralph Regenvanu, expressed his joy after a hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), an event that his Pacific archipelago country had been awaiting for six years. The international court, based in The Hague, ruled that countries that violate their legal climate obligations thereby commit an "internationally wrongful act," and that they could be required to pay "reparations" to the most affected countries. This marks the first time that the ICJ, the United Nations' main judicial institution, established in 1945, has ruled on an environmental issue.

The unprecedented advisory opinion will shape jurisprudence worldwide. Legislators, judges, lawyers and diplomats will now be able to use it to change laws, take states to court and attempt to accelerate climate negotiations. "This is a victory for our planet, for climate justice and for the power of young people to make a difference," said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in a statement.

According to environmental lawyer Arnaud Gossement, "This opinion is extremely important because it sets the interpretation of international law that states must adopt in the fight against climate change. The Court offers the most ambitious reading possible."

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