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https://theconversation.com/worlds-highest-court-issues-groundbreaking-ruling-for-climate-action-heres-what-it-means-for-australia-261842>
"The world’s highest court says countries are legally obliged to prevent harms
caused by climate change, in a ruling that repudiates Australia’s claims it is
not legally responsible for emissions from our fossil fuel exports.
The landmark ruling overnight by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will
reverberate in courts, parliaments and boardrooms the world over.
In a closely watched case at The Hague, the judges were asked to clarify the
legal obligations countries have to protect the Earth’s climate system for
current and future generations. They were also asked to clarify the legal
consequences for nations that fail to do this.
At issue was the scope of legal obligations. During the court’s deliberations,
Australia sided with other fossil fuel exporters and major emitters – including
Saudi Arabia, the United States and China – to argue state obligations on
climate change are restricted to those set out in climate-specific treaties
such as the Paris Agreement.
But the court disagreed. It found countries have additional obligations to
protect the climate and take action to prevent climate harm inside and outside
their boundaries. These obligations arise in human rights law, the law of the
sea, and general principles of international law.
This clear statement will have groundbreaking consequences. It means Australia
must set a 2035 emissions reduction target in line with the best available
science, as required under the Paris Agreement. But it must also go further, by
regulating the fossil fuel industry to prevent further harm."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
