SYDNEY, Tuesday 22 May 2024 — In response to the verdict from the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), which last night issued its Advisory Opinion on climate change, the following comments can be attributed to Head of Pacific at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Shiva Gounden:
“Today, the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea has made history. For the first time, an international tribunal has delivered an advisory opinion on climate change, responding to a request by small island states most impacted by the climate crisis, including Pacific nations.
“The ruling supports the fact that climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is causing the degradation of our marine environment. For the communities of our Pacific Island nations who have deep connections to the ocean, the threats are both economic and existential as the climate crisis impacts livelihoods, erodes culture, and even threatens to wash away the very land they call home.
“This historic moment is part of a much larger climate justice narrative, with similar cases before the international courts seeking to use the power of the law to address the accelerating injustices of the climate crisis.
“One such case is the historic campaign for an advisory opinion on climate harm from the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, spearheaded by Pacific youth from the Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change and Pacific leaders and civil society from across the world — this latest verdict sets a legal precedent and paves the way for victory.
“Pacific nations and small island states contribute least to the climate crisis, yet face extraordinary impacts — and yet the power and resilience of our communities, and the determination to use the law as a powerful tool to change the course of history, is awe-inspiring.
“Greenpeace is extremely proud and humbled to have played a role in this case. We commend all those impacted people and communities who have shared their stories of resilience, and the Pacific nation leaders and activists who continue to show true climate leadership from the frontlines of the climate crisis.”
—ENDS—
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Kate O’Callaghan on 0406 231 892 or kate.ocallaghan@greenpeace.org
Historic win for oceans and climate as international court rules States obliged to act on emissions
Climate Change
Trump Administration Dropped Controversial Climate Report From Its Decision to Rescind EPA Endangerment Finding
The final EPA rule explicitly omitted the report commissioned last year to justify revoking the endangerment finding, citing “concerns raised by some commenters.”
When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rescinded its bedrock endangerment finding Thursday, it explicitly excluded a controversial report issued last year by the U.S. Department of Energy that argued the dangers of human-induced climate change were being overstated.
Tailpipe standards meant to hasten adoption of electric vehicles were slashed alongside the scientific basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions. That will come at a cost.
With the repeal of the Environmental Protection Agency’s scientific finding on the dangers of greenhouse gases, the Trump administration is aiming to take out many federal actions on climate change in one blast.
The First Casualty of Trump’s Climate Action Repeal: The U.S. EV Transition
A doubling of fish biomass along Asia’s longest river shows hope for large-scale conservation efforts and a lifeline for the endangered finless porpoise.
Flowing almost 4,000 miles from the Tibetan Plateau to the East China Sea, the Yangtze is China’s “Mother River.” From the emerald-green rice paddies of Hunan to the industrial hubs of Wuhan and Shanghai, the river basin generates 40 percent of the nation’s economic output. Yet, 70 years of rapid development had, until recently, wreaked havoc on its delicate marine ecosystem.
Five Years Into a Fishing Ban, the Yangtze River Is Teeming With Life
ExxonMobil Lowering Carbon Emissions? Sure.
Trump Administration Dropped Controversial Climate Report From Its Decision to Rescind EPA Endangerment Finding
Gallup Disappears into Ignominy
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
Bill Discounting Climate Change in Florida’s Energy Policy Awaits DeSantis’ Approval
-
Climate Change6 months ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Greenhouse Gases6 months ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Climate Change2 years ago
Bill Discounting Climate Change in Florida’s Energy Policy Awaits DeSantis’ Approval
-
Greenhouse Gases2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change2 years ago
Spanish-language misinformation on renewable energy spreads online, report shows
-
Climate Change2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change Videos2 years ago
The toxic gas flares fuelling Nigeria’s climate change – BBC News
-
Carbon Footprint2 years agoUS SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rules Spur Renewed Interest in Carbon Credits