In a landmark advisory opinion published on Wednesday 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has said that countries must meet their climate obligations – and that failing to do so could violate international law, and result in their having to pay compensation and make other forms of restitution.

An initiative spearheaded by the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, this underscores that international law requires big polluters to scale up their efforts to cut emissions, and ensure a healthy future.

Statement from Dr Marina Romanello, Executive Director of the Lancet Countdown:

The ICJ’s landmark advisory opinion puts new emphasis on what the evidence has long shown: countries must take urgent action to deliver clean, healthy, and sustainable environment in order to protect human health. In a time of backsliding on climate commitments, the Lancet Countdown’s data reveals the mounting health impacts of climate change and the dangers of delayed action. But this ruling equips judges to hold countries and companies to a higher standard.

There are no excuses left: we have the science, we have the powerful legal backing, now we need bold climate action to secure a healthier, more equitable future for all.