Joint legal memorandum: The ITLOS Advisory Opinion and its Relevance for the ICJ Advisory Proceedings

Relevance for the International Court of Justice Climate Advisory Proceedings.

On May 21 2024, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (“ITLOS”) issued a historic advisory opinion clarifying States’ obligations to protect oceans from the drivers and impacts of climate change (the “ITLOS AO”).

This memorandum sets forth a few critical aspects of the ITLOS AO which may be relevant for the ongoing climate advisory proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), particularly for the comments period and upcoming hearings.

It has been published along with CIEL, PISFCC and WY4CJ.