REACTION: Oxfam response to UK’s statement on countries' climate change obligations at the International Court of Justice

“It is extremely disappointing that – despite aiming to be a global leader on climate – the UK Government is undermining its commitments to curb emissions by refusing to accept its full obligations under international law.

"The responsibilities of wealthy nations like the UK – who are the biggest historical polluters and have accumulated vast wealth from fossil fuels – extend far beyond the Paris agreement. They should not get to pick and choose what part of the law they follow in order to shield themselves from the legal consequences of their historical climate harm.

“The UK must acknowledge its obligations to protect human rights by reducing carbon pollution to safer levels and phasing out fossil fuel production. These obligations also include providing adequate funding to lower-income countries – who have done the least to cause the climate crisis but who are suffering the worst consequences – to recover and adapt.”

Notes to editor

In March 2023, the ICJ was requested by the UN General Assembly to issue an advisory opinion on the obligations of States in respect of climate change. The request resulted from an initiative from the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change  (PISFCC) and efforts from other Pacific organizations, global campaigners, and the leadership of many States, especially Vanuatu. The Court is holding oral hearings in The Hague between 2-13 December 2024.

Oxfam has been supporting these efforts 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 of this year on human rights obligations beyond borders and what this means for climate action.

States’ legal obligations to tackle climate change and provide remedy for climate harm extend beyond the Paris agreement, and include obligations under other areas of international law, such as human rights treaties and international customary law.