UN court: Countries must go beyond Paris Agreement to protect oceans
Published on 21/05/2024, 6:05pm
Small island states score “historic” victory as UN maritime tribunal says countries must take necessary measures to address emissions
What does the UN say about countries protecting oceans?
The Pacific nation of Tuvalu is facing an existential threat due to the impact of climate change on rising seas. Photo: Theo Rouby / Hans Lucas via REUTERS
By Matteo Civillini
Countries need to go beyond their commitments under the Paris Agreement to protect the oceans from the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, a United Nations tribunal on maritime law said on Tuesday.
A coalition of small island nations behind the case hailed the long-awaited legal opinion issued by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) as a “historic” victory.
The court found that greenhouse gas emissions absorbed by oceans can be considered pollutants and states must do whatever they can to reduce them.
The opinion is not legally binding but supporters of the case hope it can help influence climate negotiations and be used as a precedent in future court cases.
https://www.climatechangenews.com/2024/05/21/un-court-countries-must-go-beyond-paris-agreement-protecting-oceans/
