In a landmark ruling, the International Court of Justice declared that failure to act on climate change can be an “internationally wrongful act”—meaning countries could face legal consequences for harming the planet.

The United Nations’ top court in a landmark advisory opinion says countries could be in violation of international law if they fail to take measures to protect the planet from climate change, and nations harmed by its effects could be entitled to reparations.

On 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave an advisory opinion on the obligation of states to protect the climate system and the environment from manmade emissions of greenhouse gases as they affect states and persons of present and future generations.