Upon the invitation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a group of past and present scientists of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is meeting ICJ judges in The Hague.
The meeting to enhance the Court’s understanding of the key scientific findings which the IPCC has delivered through its periodic assessment reports covering the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
The Court’s invitation follows the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 77/276 of 29 March 2023 and the General Assembly’s request to ICJ for an advisory opinion on the obligations of States in respect of climate change.
The IPCC scientists, led by IPCC Chair Jim Skea, include Robert Vautard (AR7 Working Group I Co-Chair), Nana Ama Browne Klutse (AR7 Working Group I Vice-Chair), Valérie Masson-Delmotte (AR6 Co-Chair of the Working Group I), Friederike Otto (AR6 Working Group I Chapter 11 Lead Author), Tannecia Stephenson (AR6 Working Group I Chapter 10 Lead Author), Aditi Mukherji (AR6 Working Group II Chapter 4 Coordinating Lead Author), Alaa Al Khourdajie (AR6 Working Group III Contributing Author) and William Lamb (AR6 Working Group III Contributing Author).
With COP29’s disappointing conclusion, the stage now shifts to the Hague, where the Vanuatu-led landmark International Court of Justice (ICJ) climate change case — 110 UN member states and intergovernmental organisations testifying — will start on 02 December.
This case presents an opportunity to advance more concrete global climate action; it will mark the first time the ICJ formally addresses nations’ legal obligations to protect current and future generations from climate change.
