The ICJ has overnight issued an historic advisory opinion that all states have a legal obligation under international law to act on climate change – and that a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a fundamental human right.
WWF-New Zealand’s CEO, Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, says the ruling throws the coalition Government’s climate inaction – and deranged championing of fossil fuel extraction – into sharp relief.
“The world’s top court has made it crystal clear: New Zealand has a legal duty to cut emissions and minimise climate harm. For our Pacific neighbours this is about survival – and New Zealand’s continued backsliding is putting that at risk.
“At a time when the international community is demanding more ambition, Aotearoa is tracking in the wrong direction. It defies logic that we’re reopening offshore oil and gas exploration, subsiding the development of new fossil fuels and scrapping climate policies that were actually reducing emissions.”
The ICJ took explicit aim at fossil fuel expansion – arguing that if governments fail to curb the production and consumption of fossil fuels, approve new fossil fuel projects, and direct public money to support the development of fossil fuels, they could be in breach of international law.
“Our international reputation is already in jeopardy and the ICJ’s ruling cements it. We are becoming known as a country intent on abandoning its climate responsibilities for short-term profit,” says Kingdon-Bebb.
The ICJ also emphasised that historical emitters, like New Zealand, have a greater responsibility to address the climate crisis than developing countries.
“Our Pacific neighbours, such as Tuvalu and Kiribati, are calling for more leadership and action from New Zealand – but instead we’re propping up sunset industries and trying to get away with saying one thing and doing the opposite. It’s embarrassing, and shameful.
“This ruling is yet more evidence that responding to climate change is not optional – and that our responsibilities extend beyond our borders. These obligations are already baked into our Free Trade Agreements with the United Kingdom and European Union.
“Honestly, at this point what further proof does the coalition Government need that its hypocritical approach to the climate crisis is wildly off-track?
“This ruling is a line in the sand. We have a moral and legal responsibility to act – and to listen to the Pacific countries who have contributed the least to this crisis but are suffering the most. If the Government refuses to course correct, it risks not only climate destruction, but legal repercussions.”