The United Nations General Assembly voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution supporting an International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion that states have legal obligations to address climate change. The resolution, brought by Pacific island nation Vanuatu, affirms the court's July 2025 advisory opinion that countries must reduce fossil fuel use and combat global warming.
Key Takeaways
The UN General Assembly voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution supporting an International Court of Justice opinion that countries have legal obligations to address climate change. The US was among eight countries opposing the measure.
- UN General Assembly adopts climate crisis resolution with 141 votes in favor, 8 against, and 28 abstentions
- Resolution supports ICJ opinion on states' obligations to reduce fossil fuel use and tackle global warming
- US, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran among countries opposing the measure
- Vanuatu led the campaign for an ICJ opinion
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the vote, calling it a "powerful affirmation of international law, climate justice, science and the responsibility of states to protect people from the escalating climate crisis." The resolution is not legally binding but is expected to influence climate-related legal cases worldwide. The US was among eight countries opposing the measure.
The US joined Saudi Arabia, Russia, Israel, Iran, Yemen, Liberia and Belarus in voting against the resolution. Turkey, India, Qatar and Nigeria were among 28 countries that abstained. The Trump administration has removed the US from the Paris climate agreement and pursued policies to boost fossil fuel production.
Vanuatu's UN ambassador Odo Tevi emphasized the importance of the resolution for vulnerable nations facing severe climate impacts. In Tuvalu, more than a third of the population has applied for climate migration visas to Australia as much of the country is projected to be underwater by 2100. Nauru has begun selling passports to generate revenue for potential relocation efforts.
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