ICJ rules: curb climate pollution, pay reparations

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark advisory opinion on Wednesday, July 24, declaring that governments must stop climate pollution and provide reparations to vulnerable nations like the Philippines.

Environmental lawyer Atty. Grizelda Mayo-Anda noted the ruling's significance for countries frequently facing typhoons and extreme weather events, while climate activists urge President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to address climate change in his upcoming State of the Nation Address on July 28.

Philippine civil organizations welcomed the advisory opinion, with Gerry Arances from Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) stating it marks a pivotal milestone for climate-vulnerable nations, while Angelo Kairos dela Cruz from Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities emphasized the need for urgent action from historically responsible countries.

Aksiyon Klima Pilipinas' JL Algo highlighted the challenges in enforcing such rulings within the Philippines’ judicial system, and Greenpeace challenged Marcos to declare during his Sona that the country will seek climate reparations and enact a binding national policy based on the ICJ's opinion.

Worlds Youth for Climate Justice's Campaigner Charles Deluna said the opinion can pave the way towards holding states and entities accountable through international law, encouraging leaders to create laws and policies that make the ICJ’s insights legally binding.