The European Union (EU) has welcomed the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of a landmark resolution supporting the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on climate change, calling it a major step in strengthening international law and global climate action.
In a statement delivered at the UN General Assembly Wednesday, the EU and its Member States praised Vanuatu for leading the process over the past three and a half years and said the adoption of the resolution reflected a shared global commitment to addressing climate change.
“Today’s adoption of the resolution welcoming the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on obligations of States in relation to climate change, is a testament to our collective engagement, responsibility, and shared aim to address the effects of climate change according to the Advisory Opinion.”
The EU said the Court had provided important legal clarification on the obligations of States in relation to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
“The Court did just that. It provided the international community with important clarifications on the scope of the obligations of States in relation to climate change caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.”
The statement noted that the Court confirmed countries that are parties to the Paris Agreement are obligated to “prepare, communicate and maintain successive and progressive Nationally Determined Contributions.”
The EU also reaffirmed its support for the International Court of Justice(ICJ) and international law.
“The EU and its Member States are united in their staunch support for the Court, and more broadly, for the strict observance and development of international law.”
The bloc warned that climate change was no longer a future threat but an immediate global crisis affecting every region, including Europe.
“Climate change profoundly affects everyone.”
The EU cited the recent European State of the Climate 2025 report, which found Europe experienced record-breaking marine heatwaves, devastating wildfires and severe drought last year.
“The report confirmed that Europe warmed twice as fast as the global average over the past 30 years, making it the fastest-warming continent on Earth.”
The EU said it remained committed to climate adaptation and mitigation, including its targets to reduce net emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 and 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels.
The statement also highlighted the importance of climate finance and support for vulnerable countries.
“Climate finance is not only something we have committed to under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement but also a tangible way of expressing solidarity with those most affected.”
The EU said it remained one of the world’s largest contributors to climate finance, including support for adaptation funding and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
The bloc strongly backed the resolution’s references to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and moving away from fossil fuels.
“We stand firmly behind the unequivocal references to the collective temperature goal of holding the increase in the global average temperature to 1.5o above pre-industrial levels.”
The EU also supported efforts to triple renewable energy capacity, double energy efficiency improvements by 2030 and transition away from fossil fuels “in a just, orderly and equitable manner.”
On sea-level rise, the EU acknowledged the significance of the Court’s findings for Pacific island nations and vulnerable coastal states.
“The Court made a significant contribution to the clarification of the current state of international law in this area and expressed the view that once a State is established, the disappearance of one of its constituent elements would not necessarily entail the loss of its statehood.”
However, the EU cautioned against creating new legal mechanisms beyond the scope of the Court’s opinion.
“The envisaged report should not go beyond the scope of the Advisory Opinion. It should neither seek to establish new mechanisms nor engage in any determination of State responsibility.”
The EU concluded by saying it would continue working with the international community to address climate change through existing global agreements, including the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
“The EU and its Member States are pleased to have constructively engaged in the process that led to the adoption of this Resolution. We will continue to work together with the rest of international community in all relevant fora in order to address the effects of climate change.”
