Let’s hear what the World’s Highest Court has to say about Climate Change

World’s Youth for Climate Justice is a global campaign that took climate change and human rights to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to get an advisory opinion (AO).

The Advisory Opinion seeks to clarify the obligations of states to protect the rights of current and future generations from the adverse effects of climate change.

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Discover the Key Arguments of the ICJAO Oral Hearings

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CIEL, WYCJ, and PISFCC publish ‘Top Arguments to Watch For’ from the Written Statements and Comments

World’s Youth for Climate Justice and Center for International Environmental Law, with the support of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, published Climate Justice Proceedings at the ICJ: Top Arguments to Watch For in the Written Submissions.

The document unpacks some of the key arguments addressed in the written submissions, presenting select excerpts to provide a snapshot of critical legal questions at the heart of the ICJ AO. It focuses on the most critical legal arguments, including questions of human rights obligations, transboundary harm, and the duties owed to future generations.

Friends of the Initiative

Our campaign has gained widespread civil society support. Organizations can show their support by becoming a Friend of the Initiative.

Christiana Figueres

Christiana Figueres is the former Executive Secretary, UN Convention on Climate Change and Co-host of the podcast Outrage and Optimism.

Mary Robinson

Mary Robinson is the Chair of The Elders, former President of Ireland and the former UN High Commissioner on Human Rights

"I absolutely support an ICJ Advisory Opinion and I hope it will raise awareness on climate justice.”

“I would invite those who are involved in the AO to take a very broad view of the injustices that need a climate justice approach.”

Youth Climate Justice Handbook

The Youth Climate Justice Handbook presents the best and most progressive legal arguments on climate justice, responding specifically to the questions the UN General Assembly is requesting the International Court of Justice to answer. Consisting of three parts, the handbook also contains procedural and other relevant information that is a need-to-know for every State preparing for interaction with the Court, and a key resource for legal advocacy.

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  • English

    Spanish (unofficial translation)

    Arabic (unofficial translation)

  • English

    Spanish (official translation)

    Arabic (unofficial translation)

    French (official translation)

Statement on Solidarity with Palestine

No climate justice without human rights.