Report on the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Climate Change Obligations and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Background and Significance for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

On July 23rd, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is scheduled to deliver a significant advisory opinion concerning the obligations of states in respect of climate change. This legal proceeding, initiated by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), is a critical measure in the pursuit of SDG 13 (Climate Action). The opinion aims to clarify the legal responsibilities of nations to protect the climate system from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and to define the legal consequences for states whose actions cause significant harm. The outcome is directly linked to the survival and sustainable development of SIDS, which are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

Upholding SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) through International Law

The advisory opinion process, led by Vanuatu and a coalition of SIDS and other nations, seeks to reinforce SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by leveraging international law to ensure accountability for climate change. The core objective is to establish clear legal consequences for states that have caused harm to the climate system, thereby addressing a profound global injustice. It is anticipated that the ICJ’s clarification will enrich existing international frameworks, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, by providing a solid legal foundation for state obligations and fostering enhanced accountability.

Evidentiary Basis: Climate Impacts in SIDS and Threats to Multiple SDGs

The submission by the Republic of Palau, in its capacity as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), presented clear evidence of climate change impacts that directly threaten the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals. These impacts include:

• Threats to SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Data revealed a significant warming trend in Palau’s waters, leading to widespread coral bleaching and severe harm to marine reef ecosystems.
• Threats to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Projections indicate that high-end sea-level rise scenarios could submerge large portions of several Palauan states by 2100, jeopardizing human settlements and infrastructure.
• Threats to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The annual number of dangerously hot days (above 32°C) has more than doubled since the mid-20th century, posing a lethal risk to vulnerable populations.

Policy Imperatives and the Role of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

In response to these escalating threats, AOSIS has issued an urgent call for enhanced international cooperation, aligning with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The ICJ opinion is expected to catalyze the necessary political will and multilateral action to achieve critical climate targets. Key policy imperatives include:

1. The urgent submission of enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that are fully aligned with the 1.5°C global warming limit.
2. The reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030.
3. The achievement of net-zero emissions by 2050.

By establishing a common understanding of international obligations, the ICJ opinion can make clear that countries’ duties to fulfill their climate commitments are irrefutable.

Conclusion: Addressing Climate Injustice and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10)

The ICJ advisory opinion process highlights the profound inequities of climate change, which disproportionately harm the nations least responsible for the crisis. This situation represents a significant challenge to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The legal clarification is viewed as a crucial step toward correcting this grave injustice by affirming the responsibility of all states to prevent harm to others. The leadership demonstrated by SIDS in this process aims to inspire the international community to restore trust and act with the moral purpose required to address the climate crisis effectively.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The article is centered on climate change, discussing the obligations of states to protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions, the need to accelerate climate action, and the goal of keeping global warming within the 1.5°C limit. It directly addresses the core themes of SDG 13.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article focuses on a legal process through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to determine states’ obligations and legal ramifications regarding climate change. This relates to strengthening international institutions (the ICJ), promoting the rule of law at the international level, and seeking justice for nations disproportionately affected by climate change.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The initiative described was led by a coalition of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Vanuatu, with support from other developed and developing countries. The article also mentions the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement as essential platforms for global collaboration, highlighting the importance of partnerships to achieve climate goals.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The article provides a specific example of climate change impact on marine ecosystems. It cites evidence from Palau showing that rising water temperatures are causing “harm to Palau’s reef ecosystems, including coral bleaching,” which is a direct concern of SDG 14.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article discusses the direct threats to human settlements, particularly in SIDS. It mentions that “large portions of several Palauan states could be underwater by 2100” due to sea-level rise and that the increase in hot days poses a “lethal risk to vulnerable communities,” which connects to the goal of making human settlements safe, resilient, and sustainable.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article’s focus on SIDS, which are “particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change,” and the mention of specific impacts like sea-level rise and extreme heat directly relate to the need for enhanced resilience and adaptation.
2. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The call for countries to submit “enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that are fully aligned with a 1.5°C pathway” is a direct reference to this target.
3. Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States. The entire ICJ advisory opinion initiative, led by SIDS, is an effort to build capacity and enforce climate planning and management on a global scale, benefiting the most vulnerable nations.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article is about using the ICJ to clarify international law on climate change, which is a clear effort to promote the rule of law internationally and seek “climate justice” for affected states.
2. Target 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance. The leadership of SIDS, such as Vanuatu and Palau (as Chair of AOSIS), in bringing this case to the ICJ exemplifies the active and strengthened participation of developing countries in global legal institutions.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development. The article mentions the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement as “essential platforms for global collaboration” and calls for augmented “multilateral cooperation,” which aligns with this target.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

1. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience. The mention of “harm to Palau’s reef ecosystems, including coral bleaching” due to rising water temperatures is a direct example of the adverse impacts this target aims to prevent.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… by disasters… with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations. The article’s reference to sea-level rise making land uninhabitable and increased hot days posing a “lethal risk to vulnerable communities” connects directly to this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

For SDG 13 (Climate Action)

• Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The article explicitly states the need to “reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.” This serves as a direct, measurable indicator.
• Global Temperature Limit: The goal to “keep our world within the 1.5°C global warming limit” is a key indicator for measuring the success of global climate action.
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): The submission of “enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)” is mentioned as a required action, making the content and ambition of these NDCs an indicator of progress.

For SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

• Ocean Temperature: The article cites a “worrying warming trend” above 30°C in Palau’s waters” as a specific metric indicating stress on marine ecosystems.
• Coral Bleaching: The mention of “coral bleaching” as a consequence of warming waters is a clear visual and ecological indicator of the health of marine ecosystems.

For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

• Sea Level Rise: The article mentions specific “high-end sea-level rise scenarios (2.0m-2.5m)” that would put land underwater by 2100. The rate of sea-level rise is a measurable indicator of risk to coastal communities.
• Frequency of Hot Days: The article provides precise data: “The number of hot days (above 90°F/32°C) has increased from an average of 46 days per year, from 1952-1961, to 100 days per year, in 2009-2018.” This is a direct indicator of increasing climate-related risk to human health.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: stvincenttimes.com