 Legal  Framework
Our Action Plan:
1
GRASSROOTS
To file a legal action in the ICJ, we need the UN General Assembly to pass a resolution, or a UN agency to request an ICJ opinion. After the successful adoption of the resolution by consensus, we are focused on strong submissions to the Court, centering human rights and those on the frontlines.
2
YOUTH-LED DISCUSSIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Note: You can read Vanuatu's complete and updated General Assembly resolution here.
What are the obligations of States
under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases for States and for present and future generations;
What are the legal consequences under these obligations for States where they, by their acts and omissions, have caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment, with respect to:
(i) States, including, in particular, small island developing States, which due to their geographical circumstances and level of development, are injured or specially affected by or are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change?
(ii) Peoples and individuals of the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change?
Questions to
the ICJ:
Our campaign includes law students from NYC and elsewhere around the world, as well as the United Nations' first-ever Youth Climate Summit and other Climate Week events.
3
UN OUTREACH
We plan to continue to advocate for strong human rights language as the advisory opinion progresses. We invite you to join us!
News & Events:
I Am Climate Justice Campaign
on CNN Philippines
Vanuatu Hosts High-Profile Event on Legal Action for Climate Justice
Advocacy at the UN Youth Climate Summit
Learn more about the work of our student activists in the Philippines, who were featured by CNN as future leaders.
​
Under the leadership of Secretary-General Guterres, the UN is increasing ambition for the climate, with Vanuatu leading the way.
​
Read about our student activists who were invited to attend the UN's landmark summit on youth climate solutions.
​
Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change
Attorney Profile
Community Activists
Read about the courageous work of law students seeking climate justice in the Pacific, and what this campaign means to them.
​
Antonio Oposa is a creative litigator, and helped pioneer youth climate lawsuits in the Philippines.
​
Learn more about one of our partner organizations, and how we're combining forces to build an international movement.
​
UN Secretary-General Calls Climate Change His Number One Issue
Corals and Climate Activism
at the UN
Learn About International Climate Agreements
Read more about the Secretary-General's urgent calls for climate action, and the goals of the United Nations.​
​
Read more about the momentum behind climate action at the UN level, as told by one of our youth activists.
​
Climate Liability News Features
Our Campaign
Climate Change Disproportionately Harms Vulnerable People
Puzzled by the Paris Agreement? InforMEA and other UN websites offer free classes in international law and climate science.
​
Legal Scholars Around the World
Endorse Youth Climate Suits
Our campaign is part of a rising tide of climate litigation worldwide - learn more about where we fit in.
​
Read about how vulnerable voices were highlighted at last year's Global Climate Action Summit, written by one of our student activists.
​
While radical in some respects, our legal strategy has been enthusiastically endorsed by legal scholars from numerous countries.
​