News item | 02-03-2023 | 6:25 pm
The Republic of Vanuatu wants to ask the International Court of Justice for advice on the obligations that countries have under international law in the field of climate. Vanuatu is going to vote on a resolution on this at the UN. Specifically, they call for clarification of the responsibility that countries bear towards current and future generations and towards vulnerable island states and other countries that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The government is positive about this request for advice and supported the resolution yesterday during the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in New York.
The consequences of climate change are being felt in more and more places in the world. This is also the case in the island state of Vanuatu, which threatens to disappear under water due to rising sea levels and – because of its location in the Pacific Ocean – is seen as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the consequences of climate change. Because of this vulnerability, Vanuatu has prepared a resolution in collaboration with a coalition of 18 countries and young people, including the Dutch UN youth representatives for sustainable development. With this they ask the International Court of Justice for (non-binding) advice on the responsibility that countries bear in the field of climate on the basis of international law. On February 20, Vanuatu presented the final resolution. The Netherlands is a co-sponsor of the resolution. With this commitment, the government also gives substance to the pending motion of members Bouke, Thijssen, Teunissen, Grinwis, Kröger, Gündogan and Dassen, in which the government is requested to support the UN youth in their call for an international UN investigation into climate justice.
Rob Jetten, Minister for Climate and Energy: “I am very pleased to report that the Netherlands supports Vanuatu’s initiative. More and more countries are confronted with climate lawsuits, comparable to the Urgenda case in the Netherlands. It is therefore wise to act proactively and use this request for advice to clarify what obligations countries have under international law to contribute to tackling climate change.”
Dennis Jansen, former UN Youth Representative for Sustainable Development: “Great that the cabinet is showing climate leadership by supporting Vanuatu, vulnerable island states and young people worldwide in our shared mission to increase global climate action.”