Press reaction

Bonaire climate discrimination win "totally groundbreaking" - ClientEarth lawyer

28 January 2026

In reaction to today's judgment from the Hague, in a case brought by Bonaire islanders and Greenpeace, ClientEarth fundamental rights lawyer Vesselina Newman said: "This judgment is totally groundbreaking - it's the first successful national adaptation case of this scale. The ruling, based on discrimination against the inhabitants of Bonaire, is significant, and will surely open doors for a host of comparable cases around the world - in particular other Global North countries with overseas territories.

"Yet again, we see reference to the International Court of Justice's opinion, which continues to shape climate litigation globally - showing the influential power of international law."

ENDS

About ClientEarth

ClientEarth is a non-profit organisation that uses the law to create systemic change that protects the Earth for – and with – its inhabitants. We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. We hold industry and governments to account and defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. ClientEarth teams in Europe, Asia and the USA work to shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together.