The United Nations General Assembly voted 141-8 on Wednesday to adopt a resolution supporting an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change.
The resolution, introduced by the Pacific island nation Vanuatu, endorses a July 2025 ICJ opinion stating that governments are required under international law to reduce fossil fuel use and combat global warming. While the opinion is not legally binding, it is expected to influence climate-related legal cases around the world.
According to Reuters, 28 countries abstained from the vote, while the United States joined Saudi Arabia, Russia, Israel, Iran, Yemen, Liberia and Belarus in opposing the resolution.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the vote, calling it “a powerful affirmation of international law, climate justice, science and the responsibility of states to protect people from the escalating climate crisis.”
The Trump administration has withdrawn the United States from the Paris climate agreement and pursued policies aimed at expanding fossil fuel production.
US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce criticised the resolution, saying it contained “inappropriate political demands relating to fossil fuels” and arguing there was no basis for requiring the UN secretary-general to report on the legal issues raised.
Countries including India, Turkey, Qatar and Nigeria abstained from the vote.
Vishal Prasad, director of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, which led the campaign pushing for the ICJ opinion, described the resolution as a commitment to turning climate justice “into a reality.”
