HAMBURG, Germany, May 13, 2024 — Experts from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) are closely monitoring and available to comment on an international court opinion expected to clarify actions required of States to protect oceans from climate change.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) opinion, expected on May 21, is particularly significant because it will be the first of three international court advisory opinions on climate change to be issued. Opinions from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are also forthcoming.
This is the first time an international judicial body was called upon to clarify countries’ obligations to protect oceans from climate change, which threatens human rights, biodiversity, and the very existence of many island nations.
This process was initiated by a request for an advisory opinion submitted by the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS), which comprises nine small island States.
MEDIA BRIEFING: Interested journalists can register here for an online media briefing on May 16th at 2 pm UK time. Legal and climate experts will delve into the potential outcomes of the upcoming advisory opinion and its potential impact on climate policy and ongoing climate cases.
More than fifty States and organizations, including CIEL, weighed in through written submissions and oral arguments, presenting ITLOS with their views regarding the scope of State legal duties in relation to climate change and the marine environment. CIEL provided a written submission to ITLOS jointly with Greenpeace International.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the ICJ have also been asked to clarify States’ international legal obligations with respect to climate change.
The ICJ is expected to hold a hearing later this year or early next year and issue an opinion in 2025 that could significantly reshape international law.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights held hearings in Barbados last month and will hold additional hearings in Brazil on May 24, 27, 28, and 29. CIEL experts participating in the hearings are available to comment.
Media contact
CIEL press office: press@ciel.org
Experts available to comment:
In Hamburg, Germany (ITLOS public sitting):
- Joie Chowdhury — CIEL Senior Attorney, Climate Litigation and Accountability.
In the US:
- Nikki Reisch — CIEL Climate & Energy Program Director (based in Pacific Time).
- Tamara Morgenthau — CIEL Senior Attorney, Climate and Energy Program (based in Eastern Time).
- Upasana Khatri — CIEL Senior Attorney, Climate and Energy Program (based in Eastern Time).