The Oral Hearings
ICJAO Oral Hearings kicked off on 2 December
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the historic resolution requesting an ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate justice on 29th March 2023, following years of campaigning by young people around the world, hand in hand with Pacific youth.
In August 2024, the International Court of Justice announced that the public hearings for the climate change advisory opinion would begin on 2 December 2024.
Learn more about the ICJ advisory opinion or catch up with our Daily Oral Hearings Debriefs.
WYCJ and the ICJAO in the News
Landmark ICJ climate change hearing concludes; opinion expected in 2025 - Mongabay, 17/12/24
Apply "existing international obligations" to address climate change, Costa Rica asks in "biggest climate case" in International Court of Justice - Amelia Rueda, 04/12/24
Costa Rica defends climate justice before judges of the International Court of Justice - Ojo Al Clima, 04/12/24
Nepal seeks climate justice in The Hague - Nagarik News, 04/12/24
World Court Considers Climate Change - Human Rights Watch, 02/12/24
World's top court starts landmark climate hearings - Deutsche Welle, 02/12/24
Small island states seek climate change justice in landmark top UN court case - Euronews, 02/12/24
A climate coup swarms the Peace Palace As U.N. ICJ case begins - Atmos, 02/12/24
The journey to The Hague: youth-led campaign for climate justice at the ICJ - IISD, 27/12/24
Two weeks, countless voices: Explaining the ICJ’s unprecedented hearings on climate obligations - Maastricht University, 24/11/24
Events in The Hague
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Paint Your Banner for the Solidarity Demonstration
Location: Maakhaven 1e Lulofsdwarsstraat 60 The Hague
Date: Saturday 30 November, 11:00-16:00 CET
Join us, bring your cardboard, and paint your banner for the solidarity demonstration on Monday!
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ICJAO Oral Hearings: Opening Ceremony
Location: Omniversum Museon, Den Haag
Date: Sunday 1 December, 13:00-17:00 CET
Registration: here
Mark the beginning of a historic moment in the fight for climate justice with the Opening Ceremony for the ICJAO. This event will bring together global voices, cultural traditions, and collective action to set the stage for weeks of impactful advocacy.
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Solidarity Demonstration
Location: Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2
Date: Monday 2 December, walk-in from 09:00 CET
Join a powerful and diverse assembly of voices from around the globe as they gather in front of the Peace Palace to demand climate justice!
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People’s Assembly
Location: T. M. C Asser Institute, 20 R.J. Schimmelpennincklaan The Hague
Date: 3-5 December
The People’s Assembly is a powerful gathering to amplify the voices of those most impacted by the climate crisis in shaping the ICJ's advisory opinion.
Frontline community members will share their lived experiences and urgent calls for climate action. This event offers a unique opportunity for public engagement, pushing for a Court decision that reflects the demands and realities of affected communities.
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Candlelight Vigil and Talanoa
Location: The Sweet Spot, Scheveningseweg 8
Date: Friday 6 December, 16:30 PM – 18:00 CET
Join us for a moving Candlelight Vigil to honor the brave individuals and communities who have dedicated their lives to the fight against climate change.As dusk settles, we will create a sea of candlelight, symbolizing hope, remembrance, and our ongoing commitment to climate justice. This powerful tribute will honor the sacrifices of climate warriors and those we have lost, serving as a reminder of the tireless efforts of activists and communities worldwide.
🕯️ Bring a candle and stand with us in solidarity. Together, let’s light the way for climate justice.
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Traditional Hui: Indigenous Laws and Traditional Knowledge
Date: 5 December 18:00 - 20:30 CET
Location: The Hague Humanity Hub Fluwelen Burgwal 58 The Hague
Registration: here
The global climate crisis requires urgent and inclusive action rooted in justice and equity. Indigenous peoples, as custodians of traditional knowledge, possess unique cultural, environmental, and spiritual insights critical to addressing climate challenges. Indigenous laws and practices form a foundation for harmonious coexistence with nature and provide nature-based solutions that can complement international legal frameworks.Through dialogue and engagement, this Hui (gathering) will explore how the ICJ-AO can serve as a platform to elevate Indigenous voices, strengthen international legal frameworks, and promote justice and equity in the global response to climate change.
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People’s Museum for Climate Justice: A Testament to Resilience
Grand Opening: 10 December
Open Daily: 10-13 December, 9:30 – 19:00 CET
Location: Zeehelden Theater, Trompstraat 342, The Hague
Digital Platform: Museum of Climate Justice
Step into the People’s Museum for Climate Justice, a space co-curated with communities disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. This immersive experience is more than an exhibition. it’s a powerful platform for survivor stories, a testament to human resilience, and a springboard for action.
Final UN draft resolution released for adoption
Watch the Climate ICJAO Hearings Live!
The ICJ will livestream the hearings, meaning you and everyone in the world can watch simultaneously as States present their arguments on their obligations toward climate justice live!
The hearings run from 2 to 13 December, and the schedule of when States will speak will be published on the ICJ website. The live stream link can be found by clicking on the media player on the ICJ’s homepage, or here. Start your own watch party now!
