UN backs historic climate crisis ruling, despite US attempts to stop resolution

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution supporting an International Court of Justice advisory opinion on climate change. The vote was 141-8, with 28 abstentions, and the United States was among the countries opposing. The resolution affirms that states have legal obligations to reduce fossil fuel use and tackle global warming. The UN secretary general said the vote underscores that governments must protect citizens from the escalating climate crisis. Although the advisory opinion is not legally binding, it is already being used in climate litigation and referenced by judges in climate-related rulings. The resolution faced diplomatic resistance at prior climate talks, and the US criticized it for including political demands related to fossil fuels.

"The UN has voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution backing a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change, with the US which is the world's biggest historical emitter among the small group opposing it. The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said Wednesday's general assembly vote, in which 28 countries abstained, underscored that governments are responsible for protecting citizens from the escalating climate crisis."

"The resolution, brought by the Pacific island Vanuatu, affirms a July 2025 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that states are obligated to reduce fossil fuel use and tackle global warming. While not legally binding, the court's advisory opinion is already being used in climate litigation around the world and judges are starting to reference it in their climate-related rulings."

"But it has proved more intractable as a diplomatic lever. It failed to make a mark at last year's UNFCCC climate talks in Belem; Saudi Arabia called its inclusion in final texts a red, red line. The US joined Saudi Arabia, Russia, Israel, Iran, Yemen, Liberia and Belarus in opposing the resolution on Wednesday."

"The Trump administration has removed the US from the Paris climate agreement and other major environmental accords, and has pursued policies to boost fossil fuel production. The resolution includes inappropriate political demands relating to fossil fuels, the US deputy ambassador to the UN, Tammy Bruce, said."

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