The United Nations top court's landmark ruling signifies the world's worst polluters are bound under international law to reduce emissions or pay damages to affected nations.
Members of the media may directly contact the following experts on this topic:
Thomas Burelli (English and French)
Full Professor, Faculty of Law – Civil Law Section
[email protected]
Professor Burelli's areas of research and expertise relate to international environmental law and environmental justice. He sees the ICJ's decision as follows:
- A historic decision in the fight against climate change.
- A clarification of states' international obligations in the fight against climate change.
- A slap in the face for Canada and its vision of international law in the field of climate change.
- An opinion that will likely inspire numerous legal challenges against states for failing to take sufficient action on climate change.