By Bunmi Yekini
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has commenced public hearings to assess whether nations are meeting their legal obligations to combat the intensifying climate crisis. The case, hailed as a landmark for global climate justice, shines a spotlight on vulnerable nations like Vanuatu, whose very existence is under threat.
In an emotional statement ahead of her testimony, Flora Vano, Country Manager for ActionAid Vanuatu, painted a harrowing picture of life in her Pacific island nation. “Climate change has shattered our lives. It’s stolen our livelihoods, our food, and our peace. Our waters are poisoned, our lands barren,” she said. Highlighting the disproportionate burden on women and children, Vano added, “Women and children bear the heaviest burden, walking endless miles for scarce, clean water. We are trapped in a cycle of destruction, unable to recover.”
The hearings, initiated by a request from the United Nations General Assembly in March 2023, aim to clarify the legal responsibilities of states under international frameworks like the Paris Agreement. Testimonies from experts, including scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), have underscored the dire consequences of inaction. “The science is clear: inaction will be catastrophic,” said Jim Skea, IPCC Chair.
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Vanuatu, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, faces frequent cyclones, rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and droughts. These challenges are exacerbated by its geographic location in the Pacific Ocean. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Vanuatu, climate change represents the single greatest obstacle to sustainable development.
Vano’s plea emphasized the urgent need for financial support, particularly from wealthier, high-polluting nations. “World leaders, hear our plea. We need rich polluting countries to fund our adaptation, mitigation, and recovery with grants, not loans. This will allow us to rebuild and thrive, for the sake of our children and their children,” she implored.
The ICJ hearings come weeks after the conclusion of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, which many hoped would offer concrete support to vulnerable nations. However, the summit failed to deliver substantial commitments, with disputes over financing mechanisms and fossil fuel phase-outs overshadowing the agenda. For Vanuatu, the lack of progress at COP29 compounded its frustrations, reinforcing the need for legal clarity and binding global action.
As the ICJ deliberates, the world is watching closely. The Court’s opinion could redefine the responsibilities of nations in addressing the climate crisis. For Vanuatu and other SIDS, the stakes could not be higher. Vano’s impassioned call for justice rings out as a stark reminder: “Stop fossil fuel extraction. Take responsibility for the pollution. Our future depends on it.”
The public hearings, which began December 2, will end on December 13.