The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to adopt a resolution supporting a historic advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change. The vote, held on Wednesday, saw 141 nations in favour, eight against, and 28 abstentions.
The United States, the world's largest historical emitter, was among the countries opposing the measure, alongside Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and others. Washington argued the resolution contained "inappropriate political demands relating to fossil fuels". The Trump administration had previously urged nations to press Vanuatu, the Pacific island nation that brought the resolution, to withdraw it.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the adoption, 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 affirms the ICJ's July 2025 advisory opinion, which, while not legally binding, is already being cited in climate litigation worldwide.
Vanuatu's ambassador to the UN, Odo Tevi, emphasised the real-world urgency, stating: "The harm is real and it is already here, along our islands and coastlines, for communities facing drought and failed harvests." Climate change minister Ralph Regenvanu added that "sustained commitment to the rule of law is more important than ever".
The vote comes as low-lying Pacific nations face existential threats from rising sea levels. In Tuvalu, over a third of the population has applied for a climate migration visa to Australia, while Nauru has begun selling passports to fund potential relocation. Scientists warn that even best-case scenarios are likely to exceed the 1.5°C warming target set by the Paris Agreement.
