Tulip (@joybrk.bsky.social)

UN General Assembly adopts resolution confirming state obligations to combat climate change The UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday adopted a resolution that reinforces member states’ duties to protect the global climate system by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The resolution calls upon states to comply with the obligations set out by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), creating legal backing to the non-binding advisory opinion issued by the UN high court in July 2025. Pursuant to the UNGA decision, countries now have a legal duty under international law to tackle the climate crisis by taking all possible steps to avoid causing climate change. Vanuatu, in collaboration with other Pacific island nations, drafted the proposed resolution earlier this year, urging countries to consider the impacts their greenhouse gas emissions have on small nations facing the brunt of the climate crisis. These nations are among those facing the largest burden of climate change, such as extreme weather events, crop failure, and sea level rise, despite their lack of contribution to global warming. However, following negotiations amongst the states, the text of Vanuatu’s resolution was altered significantly. Notably missing from the adopted draft was the “International Register of Damage,” which would have created the duty to create a “comprehensive and transparent record” of evidence of... https://www.jurist.org/news/2026/05/un-general-assembly-adopts-resolution-confirming-state-obligations-to-combat-climate-change/