Press release

Historic UN vote translates climate ruling from world’s highest court into domestic ambition 

May 20th 2026

With an overwhelming majority, the legislative body of the United Nations passed a resolution today that urges countries to carry over the landmark International Court of Justice decision on climate into national ambition and follow-up action.  

The resolution was introduced by Vanuatu – a leader on the climate justice world stage – and comes just a year after the ICJ unequivocally and unanimously said countries have an obligation to act on climate change under international law.  

The resolution urges countries to align their policies with climate science, accelerate a just phase-out of fossil fuels, scale up climate finance and address climate-related harms that only worsen by the day.   

In response to the development, ClientEarth lawyer Lea Main-Klingst said:  

“In the face of both the ongoing energy crisis and countless consequences of climate change, this resolution could not be timelier.  

“The majority of the world right now is experiencing varying degrees of price shocks and supply shortages of fossil fuels because of the war in the Middle East. The argument against coal, oil and gas expansion is making itself yet again – and it’s landing. Just recently, an EU commissioner himself said the only viable way forward is through green investments.   

“The ICJ gave all of us in the climate movement a massive boost. Now it’s time we translate that progress into the national context. This resolution is a rallying call for a better future – and it’s up to all of us to answer it.”  

ENDS

About ClientEarth

ClientEarth works in over 60 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. We shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive. 

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.