REACTION: Oxfam response to ICJ advisory opinion on countries' climate change obligations

“This is a tremendous victory, not just for the brave young climate defenders from the Pacific Islands who took their fight for justice from a classroom in Vanuatu to the world’s highest court, but for us all. Rich countries like the UK can no longer deny their legal obligations to rapidly and fairly reduce emissions to protect universal human rights such as to life, food, health and a clean environment.

“To comply, the UK must adopt targets that truly reflect its historical share of emissions and put in place robust plans to ensure reduction targets are met. It must also increase funding to support the access of lower-income countries to renewable energy and deal with the impacts of an escalating climate crisis they did little to cause – protecting people from past and future harm.

“This is not a wish-list – it is international law. We now have a powerful tool for holding countries to account which will inject strong new impetus into negotiations at the COP30 Summit in Brazil this November.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Oxfam has been supporting the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change’s lawsuit since 2022, joining in advocacy for the UN General Assembly to refer the case to the Court.
• Oxfam provided a written statement to the ICJ in March 2024 on human rights obligations beyond borders and what this means for climate action.
• Oxfam also contributed to an expert legal opinion that was referenced in several State submissions, the Maastricht Principles on the Human Rights of Future Generations.