From the Streets to a Court of Our Own

By Noemi Zenk-Agyei

In December 2024, history was made in The Hague as the International Court of Justice heard arguments from over 100 states and organisations in its deliberation on the climate change advisory opinion. But history was also written outside the Court, on the streets of The Hague, during the Climate Justice Solidarity Demonstration and the People’s Assembly. These moments not only underscored the urgency of climate justice but also amplified the voices of those most affected by the crisis: frontline communities, youth, and Indigenous Peoples.

Demonstration: Where negotiations have failed courts must not

On 2 December, as the ICJ proceedings officially began, activists of all ages and frontline communities from around the world gathered outside the Peace Palace in The Hague. Led by the World’s Youth for Climate Justice, the demonstration sent a powerful message to the world’s highest court: climate justice must prevail, and human rights must take precedence over the economic interests of a minority of states.

Watching the proceedings live on a big screen in front of the Court, demonstrators stood in solidarity with Vanuatu and the Melanesian Spearhead Group, whose opening statements inside the courtroom set the stage for two weeks of legal deliberations. Their presence outside the Peace Palace, mirrored on the big screen inside, symbolised a broader demand - that the Court acknowledges the devastating human impact of climate change and deliver an opinion that holds big emitters accountable. The energy was high, and the message was clear: "AO, LET’S GO!" The demonstration captured international media attention, helping to raise awareness of the historic hearings beyond those present in The Hague.

The People’s Assembly: Centering the voices of frontline communities

While states presented their legal arguments inside the Court, WYCJ and its partners launched the People’s Assembly to ensure that those directly affected by climate change were heard. The Assembly became a space for frontline communities to share testimonies, highlight the lived consequences of environmental destruction, and call for accountability from those most responsible for the climate crisis.

Statements were delivered by climate witnesses from Suriname, Kiribati, Vanuatu, India, Tuvalu, and Sudan. Isabella Teuea, a youth climate activist from Kiribati, issued a stark reminder to world leaders and the Court: “How many human rights must be violated before you take meaningful action? We ask big emitter countries and the Court to affirm that the duty to protect the environment is not just an abstract principle, but a legal and moral obligation of States to preserve the dignity, rights, and future of all nations, especially those most vulnerable.”

The People’s Petition: A collective demand for justice

The discussions and testimonies from the People’s Assembly culminated in the People’s Petition, an outcome document reflecting the voices and demands of over 50 participants, including youth, Indigenous Peoples, and experts. On 13 December, this document was presented to the ICJ judges through the oral submission of Vishal Prasad from PISFCC, underscoring the collective strength of civil society in the fight for climate justice.

Samira Ben Ali, Outreach and Engagement Coordinator at World’s Youth for Climate Justice and one of the petition's drafters emphasised the need for urgent action: “People are already having their human rights violated because of the climate crisis, so we need to course correct immediately if we do not want things to get worse. States have obligations when it comes to the impacts that they are causing to the climate system, and these obligations come with legal consequences.”

A defining moment for climate justice

These two weeks of oral hearings at the ICJ were a landmark in the global fight for climate justice. The demonstration and People’s Assembly served as vital reminders that climate change is not just a legal debate, it is a lived reality for millions. The voices of young people, frontline communities, and civil society have played a crucial role in pushing this case forward, and their calls for accountability will continue to shape the path ahead.

The world is watching. Now, it is up to the ICJ to deliver an Advisory Opinion that reflects the principles of justice, equity, and human rights.