Landmark Climate Change Case Opens at Top UN Court

The outcome will ‘likely generate more demands for reparations and punishment,’ critics said.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, on Dec. 11, 2019. Yves Herman/Reuters

The top court of the United Nations has started proceedings to examine the legal obligations of countries to combat climate change.

This is a response to a March 2023 request by the U.N., spearheaded by South Pacific nation Vanuatu.