UN countries agree on legal obligation to address climate change

The United Nations superior general gathering on midweek voted 141–8 to follow a declaration backing a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address ‌climate change, with the world's biggest historical emitter the United States among those opposing it.

Canada, which was a sponsor of the resolution, was among the countries that voted in favour.

The resolution, brought by the Pacific island Vanuatu, affirms a July 2025 advisory opinion by the International ⁠Court of Justice (ICJ) that states are obligated to reduce fossil fuel use and tackle global warming.

UN Secretary General António Guterres said the vote, in which 28 countries abstained, ​underscored that governments are responsible for protecting citizens ​from the "escalating climate crisis."

"I welcome the adoption of the General Assembly resolution on the ICJ's advisory opinion on ​climate change – a powerful affirmation of international law, climate ⁠justice, science & the responsibility ⁠of states to protect people ‌from the escalating climate crisis," he said in a post on X.

While not legally binding, the opinion is expected ‌to be cited in climate-related legal cases worldwide.

"To be honest, I was shaking with adrenaline the whole time," she said. "It was really a great relief."

Failure to act on climate change may violate law, ICJ rules

The United States joined Saudi Arabia, Russia, Israel, Iran, Yemen, Liberia and Belarus in opposing the resolution. COP31 climate summit host Turkey, India, ​and oil producers Qatar and Nigeria were among those abstaining.

China, the biggest emitter globally now, voted in favour.

The Trump administration has removed ⁠the U.S. From the Paris climate agreement and other major environmental ⁠accords, and has pursued policies to boost fossil fuel production.

"The resolution ⁠includes ⁠inappropriate political demands relating to ​fossil fuels," U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce said.

Vishal Prasad, director of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, which led the campaign for an ICJ opinion, called the vote a commitment to “making ⁠it a reality.”

Sackett said it makes countries accountable for their climate pledges and creates legal consequences for failing to do things like regulate fossil fuel companies: "It changes, really, the narrative around this."

She added that while it has no direct implications, it "puts Canada in an awkward position," given its fossil fuel subsidies and recent actions to scrap the consumer carbon tax and the oil and gas emissions cap.

The federal and provincial goverments face dozens of lawsuits alleging failure to comply with regulations related to climate or protect Canadians from the impacts of climate change.

Ferreira said the UN vote will give more leverage to those opposing government decisions that impact the climate.

He added that it may also be possible for countries like Vanuatu to take countries like Canada to the ICJ for planning to increase their fossil fuel production.

Hatt said one other possible outcome of the vote is that Canada will start to recognize the international momentum around phasing out fossil fuels "and starts to, you know, take a bit more heed of that in terms of its domestic planning and action."

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