Kehinde Adegoke | Agency Report
New York: UN Secretary‑General António Guterres has praised the General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution following the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on climate change, calling it a landmark moment in the fight against the global crisis.
Meanwhile, the US, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia – some of the highest oil-producing nations and major greenhouse gas emitters – have uninamously opposed the measure
Guterres said the ruling affirms that governments have binding obligations to protect people and the planet, and that the Assembly’s endorsement strengthens international resolve to confront the climate emergency with urgency and justice.
UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric briefed journalists in New York on Thursday on the landmark resolution.
The resolution affirms international law, climate justice, and science, the UN chief said.
The resolution calls on all UN Member States to take all possible steps to avoid causing significant damage to the climate and environment.
This includes emissions they produce within their borders and follows through on their existing climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.
Governments are urged to cooperate in good faith, coordinate globally, and ensure climate policies protect life, health, and living standards.
The General Assembly has answered the world’s call, the Secretary-General stated.
He said this affirms international law, climate justice, climate science, and states’ responsibility.
“He commended the leadership of Pacific Island countries and other Small Island Developing States, together with the young people whose moral clarity helped bring the world to this moment,’’ Dujarric said.
Guterres noted that those least responsible for climate change pay the highest price, and declared that injustice must end.
According to the spokesperson, the science is clear: fossil fuels are the primary driver of the climate crisis.
The path to climate justice requires a rapid, just, and equitable shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
“Renewables have proved to be the cheapest and the most secure form of energy supply,” he said.
The Secretary-General concluded: keep 1.5°C within reach to build a safer, fairer, and more resilient future.
Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation at the forefront of the climate crisis, and several countries drafted the resolution.
Delegates adopted the resolution after intense discussion, including multiple proposed amendments, with 141 votes in favour, eight against and 28 abstentions.
Those voting against were Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and Yemen.
The ICJ, the UN’s principal judicial body, ruled in July 2025 that States have an obligation to protect the environment from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the decision was hailed as a breakthrough.
The UN chief described it simply as “a victory for our planet”.
The Court ruled that States breaching these obligations are legally responsible and may be required to stop the conduct.
They must guarantee non-repetition and provide full reparation as required.
ICJ advisory opinions are not binding but carry significant legal and moral weight by clarifying international law and States’ obligations.