Landmark climate change hearings represent largest ever case before UN world court

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class="nav-item"> <a href="/en/audio-hub" class="audio-hub-link nav-link nav-link--en-audio-hub d-flex gap-s align-items-center justify-content-between" title="Audio Hub" data-drupal-link-system-path="audio-hub"><span class="link-text">Audio Hub</span> <i class="fa-solid fa-microphone" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/en/content/un-newsletter-subscribe" class="subscribe-link nav-link nav-link--en-content-un-newsletter-subscribe d-flex gap-s align-items-center justify-content-between" title="Subscribe" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/151"><span class="link-text">Subscribe</span> <i class="fa-solid fa-envelope" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="highlighted"> <aside class="container section clearfix" role="complementary"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </aside> </div> <section class="region region-before-content"> <div class="views-element-container block block-views block-views-block-story-photo-block-image" id="block-views-block-story-photo-block-image"> <div class="block-content block__content"> <div><div class="view view-story-photo view-id-story_photo view-display-id-block_image js-view-dom-id-8e6bf118a6cdbdda3c33fa9513560a37d1db8767deb30a5c7c25dd9188000ecb"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row"> <div class="node node--type-news-story node--view-mode-top-image clearfix container"> <h1><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Landmark climate change hearings represent largest ever case before UN world court</span> </h1> <div class="story-media"> <div class="media-image"> <div class="field field--name-field-news-story-photo field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><picture> <source media="(max-width: 413px)" srcset="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/14-11-2024-FAO-Colombia-02.jpg/image350x235cropped.jpg" /> <source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/14-11-2024-FAO-Colombia-02.jpg/image560x340cropped.jpg" /> <source media="(max-width: 991px)" srcset="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/14-11-2024-FAO-Colombia-02.jpg/image770x420cropped.jpg" /> <source media="(max-width: 1199px)" srcset="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/14-11-2024-FAO-Colombia-02.jpg/image1170x530cropped.jpg" /> <source media="(min-width: 1200px)" srcset="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/14-11-2024-FAO-Colombia-02.jpg/image1170x530cropped.jpg" /> <img src="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/14-11-2024-FAO-Colombia-02.jpg/image1170x530cropped.jpg" width="1170" height="530" alt="Deforestation releases carbon into the atmosphere, which fuels climate change and further harms forests." title="Deforestation releases carbon into the atmosphere, which fuels climate change and further harms forests." loading="lazy" /> </picture> </div> </div> </div> <div class="story-caption"> <div class="context-caption_credit type-entermedia_image media media--type-entermedia-image media--view-mode-caption-credit"> <div class="field field--name-field-authors field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item">© FAO/Felipe Rodríguez</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Deforestation releases carbon into the atmosphere, which fuels climate change and further harms forests.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div id="main-wrapper" class="layout-main-wrapper clearfix"> <div id="main-container" class="container layout-main-container"> <div class="row row-offcanvas row-offcanvas-left clearfix"> <div class="minimal-share-wrapper col-lg-3"> <p class="minimal-share"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/12/1157671" title="Share this via Facebook" class="facebook" data-ms="facebook">Facebook</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Landmark climate change hearings represent largest ever case before UN world court&url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/12/1157671" title="Share this via Twitter" class="twitter" data-ms="twitter">Twitter</a> <a href="" title="Share this via Print" class="print" data-ms="print">Print</a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Landmark climate change hearings represent largest ever case before UN world court&body=https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/12/1157671" title="Share this via Email" class="email" data-ms="email">Email</a> </p> </div> <main class="main-content col-lg-9" id="content" role="main"> <section class="section"> <a id="main-content" tabindex="-1"></a> <div id="block-un-base-theme-page-title" class="block block-core block-page-title-block block-un-base-theme-page-title"> <div class="block-content block__content"> <h1 class="title"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Landmark climate change hearings represent largest ever case before UN world court</span> </h1> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block block-views block-views-block-content-fields-block-lead" id="block-views-block-content-fields-block-lead"> <div class="block-content block__content"> <div><div class="view view-content-fields view-id-content_fields view-display-id-block_lead js-view-dom-id-f0c06771ee2ff29e68aa36f46066030e63886b5884de06974290e60278b630ac"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row"> <span class="views-field views-field-field-news-date"><span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-12-02T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">2 December 2024</time> </span></span> <span class="views-field views-field-field-news-topics"><span class="field-content"><a href="/en/news/topic/climate-change" hreflang="en">Climate and Environment</a></span></span> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-story-lead"><div class="field-content"><p>A record number of oral statements are expected to be presented to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as highly awaited public hearings on States’ legal obligations with respect to climate change got underway on Monday.</p> </div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-un-base-theme-content" class="block block-system block-system-main-block block-un-base-theme-content"> <div class="block-content block__content"> <article class="node node--type-news-story node--view-mode-full clearfix"> <header> </header> <div class="node__content clearfix"> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block block-views block-views-block-content-fields-block-body" id="block-views-block-content-fields-block-body"> <div class="block-content block__content"> <div><div class="view view-content-fields view-id-content_fields view-display-id-block_body js-view-dom-id-93a2a8ca59c10f3680f135c266718fc7759416965a2f53db7f9af9bf6b2f95c0"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-story"><div class="field-content"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--one-column-text paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="_none"><div class="w-100"> <div class="layout row layout-builder__layout"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="_none block block-layout-builder block-field-block-paragraph-one-column-text-field-text-column"> <div class="block-content block__content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-text-column field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><div><p>The hearings are part of the process towards the court issuing an advisory opinion, which will clarify States’ legal obligations under international law and the consequences for breaching them.</p><p>They are scheduled to take place from 2 December until 13 December in the Hague, Netherlands.</p><p><em>Here are five things you need to know about the historic proceedings:</em></p><h4>1.What are the hearings about?</h4><p>The hearings broadly concern the obligations of States with respect to climate change and the legal consequences of these obligations. They are significant because they represent the international community’s efforts to come up with a legal framework for addressing climate change. </p><p>More simply put, the Court is being asked to provide clarity on international law with respect to climate change. The legal advice it provides may in turn influence any multilateral processes involving climate action.</p><p>The two central questions asked of the Court are as follows: </p><p>1.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 [human caused] emissions of greenhouse gases for States and for present and future generations;</p><p>2.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:</p><p>a. States, including, in particular, small island developing States, which due to their geographical circumstances and level of development, are injured or specifically affected by, or are particularly vulnerable to, the adverse effects of climate change?</p><p>b. Peoples and individuals of the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change? </p><div class="context-un_news_full_width_credit_caption type-entermedia_image media media--type-entermedia-image media--view-mode-un-news-full-width-credit-caption"> <div class="field field--name-thumbnail field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"><img src="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/25-09-2024-GA_debate_small_islands.jpg/image1170x530cropped.jpg" alt="Children in a Pacific Island stand in an area heavily affected by sea level rise and coastal erosion. " title="Children in a Pacific Island stand in an area heavily affected by sea level rise and coastal erosion. " loading="lazy" width="1170" height="530"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-authors field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item">© UNICEF/Vlad Sokhin</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Children in a Pacific Island stand in an area heavily affected by sea level rise and coastal erosion. </div> </div> <h4>2.How did this case come to the ICJ? </h4><p>In September 2021, the Pacific island of Vanuatu announced its intention to seek an advisory opinion from the <a href="https://www.icj-cij.org/">ICJ</a> on climate change. It explained that this initiative, which had been pushed for by the youth group Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change, was necessitated by its vulnerability and that of other small island developing States to climate change and the need for increased action to address the global climate crisis. </p><p>Vanuatu then lobbied other countries to support this initiative and formed the core group of UN Member States to take the initiative forward in the General Assembly. </p><p>The discussions within the core group led to the development of <a href="https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/ltd/n23/094/52/pdf/n2309452.pdf" target="_blank">resolution A/RES/77/276</a>, which was eventually adopted by the General Assembly on 29 March 2023. A total of 132 countries co-sponsored the resolution. </p><p>The resolution drew upon “particular regard” to the <a href="http://www.un.org/en/charter-united-nations/index.html">UN Charter</a>, the <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/ccpr.aspx">International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights</a>, the <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/cescr.aspx">International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights</a>, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the <a href="https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement">Paris Agreement</a>, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and rights recognised in the <a href="http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/">Universal Declaration of Human Rights</a>, “the principle of prevention of significant harm to the environment and the duty to protect and preserve the marine environment”. </p><p>The request was transmitted to the Court by the UN Secretary-General in a letter dated 12 April 2023. </p> <div class="align-right context-un_news_large_credit type-twitter media media--type-twitter media--view-mode-un-news-large-credit"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-twitter field--type-string field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Tweet URL</div> <div class="field__item"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet element-hidden" lang="en"> <div class="context-preview type-twitter media media--type-twitter media--view-mode-preview"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-twitter field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item"><iframe src="https://news.un.org/en/media/oembed?url=https%3A//x.com/CIJ_ICJ/status/1863650866210709691&max_width=305&max_height=550&hash=1zk9yWvV9BSdbJ4smRs1xih8gl5AebzmWgEKvUbK4Ho" width="305" height="550" class="media-oembed-content" loading="lazy"></iframe> </div> </div> <a href="https://twitter.com/CIJ_ICJ/statuses/1863650866210709691"></a> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> <h4>3.Who is authorised to request advisory opinions and what happens next? </h4><p>Advisory proceedings are only open to <a href="https://www.icj-cij.org/organs-agencies-authorized" target="_blank">five organs of the United Nations and 16 specialised agencies of the UN</a>.  While the UN General Assembly and <a href="https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/">Security Council</a> may request advisory opinions on “any legal question”, the other UN organs and specialised agencies can only do so with respect to “legal questions arising within the scope of their activities”. The majority of advisory opinions have been requested by the UN General Assembly. </p><p>As a rule, organizations and States authorised to participate in the proceedings submit written statements, followed by written comments on the other statements submitted if the Court considers it necessary. </p><p>The Court will decide whether to hold oral proceedings, after which the advisory opinion is delivered following a sitting of the Court.   </p><h4>4.Why is this case so significant?</h4><p>This case is the largest ever seen by the world court, with <a href="https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/187/187-20240412-pre-01-00-en.pdf?ref=climateinthecourts.com" target="_blank">91 written statements</a> filed with the court’s registry alongside 62 written comments on these statements <a href="https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/187/187-20240816-pre-01-00-en.pdf?ref=climateinthecourts.com" target="_blank">submitted</a> by the court’s extended deadline of 15 August 2024. </p><p>A similar record number of 97 States and eleven international organizations are scheduled to participate in the oral proceedings. These hearings are a chance for countries and organizations to elaborate on their written statements and testify directly. </p><p>The proceedings have particular importance for the small island developing States which initially pushed for the opinion. Significantly, they are taking place just one week after developing nations criticised a deal at <a href="https://news.un.org/en/events/cop29">COP29</a> to <a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1157416" target="_blank">provide $300 billion a year</a> in climate finance by 2035, calling the agreement “insulting” and arguing it did not give them the vital resources they require to truly address the complexities of the climate crisis.</p><p><a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1157416">“We are literally sinking,</a>” one representative said following COP29, pointing out the agreement highlighted “what a very different boat our vulnerable countries are in, compared to the developed countries”. </p><p>With small island developing states already facing <a href="https://climatepromise.undp.org/news-and-stories/small-island-developing-states-are-frontlines-climate-change-heres-why#:~:text=Vulnerability%20to%20climate%20change%3A%20Despite,loss%20of%20biodiversity%20and%20forced" target="_blank">some of the worst impacts</a> of climate change, these hearings are vital to establish a stronger framework of accountability that sets clear international legal obligations for climate action.</p><div class="context-un_news_large_uncropped_credit_caption type-entermedia_image media media--type-entermedia-image media--view-mode-un-news-large-uncropped-credit-caption"> <div class="field field--name-thumbnail field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"><img src="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/09-11-2023-UN-Photo-ICJ-04.jpg/image1024x768.jpg" alt="The towers and gables of the Peace Palace, home of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague." title="The towers and gables of the Peace Palace, home of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague." loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-authors field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item">UN Photo</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The towers and gables of the Peace Palace, home of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.</div> </div> <h4>5.What effect can an advisory opinion have? </h4><p>Unlike judgments in contentious cases, the Court’s advisory opinions are not binding. They clarify legal questions. The requesting organ, agency or organization – the General Assembly in this particular case – remains free to decide, as it sees fit, what effect to give to these opinions.  </p><p>However, while not binding, advisory opinions have “an authoritative value and cannot be neglected”, according to the ICJ Registrar in a recent <a href="https://news.un.org/en/interview/2024/10/1155951" target="_blank">interview with <em>UN News</em></a>. They carry great moral authority by what is considered the world’s highest court and the principal judicial body of the UN. </p><p>This opinion on climate change can help inform subsequent judicial proceedings such as domestic cases, influence the diplomatic process and will likely be cited in thousands of climate-driven lawsuits around the world, including those where small island States are seeking compensation from developed nations for historic climate damage, according to one media source. </p><p>The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has <a href="https://press.un.org/en/2023/sgsm21750.doc.htm" target="_blank">stated that such an opinion</a> will help the General Assembly, the United Nations and Member States to “take the bolder and stronger climate action that our world so desperately needs”.</p><p>“It could also guide the actions and conduct of States in their relations with each other, as well as towards their own citizens. This is essential,” he emphasised. </p></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block block-views block-views-block-content-footer-block-1" id="block-views-block-content-footer-block-1"> <div class="block-content block__content"> <div><div class="view view-content-footer view-id-content_footer view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-1391c45c1861a07136223a953c995fe33368c8737200343f80bb8efc8c668f13"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-content-footer" class="block block-simple-block block-simple-block-content-footer block-content-footer"> <div class="block-content block__content"> <div class="panel panel-info"> <div class="panel-heading">♦ Receive daily updates directly in your inbox - <a href="https://news.un.org/en/content/un-newsletter-subscribe?utm_source=UN News&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=un_news_newsletter"><strong>Subscribe here</strong></a> to a topic.</div> <div class="panel-heading">♦ Download the UN News app for your <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/un-news-reader/id496893005?mt=8"><strong>iOS</strong></a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.un.mobile.news&hl=en"><strong>Android</strong></a> devices.</div> </div> <div class="sharethis-inline-reaction-buttons"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container block block-views block-views-block-content-fields-block-tags" id="block-views-block-content-fields-block-tags"> <div class="block-content block__content"> <div><div class="view view-content-fields view-id-content_fields view-display-id-block_tags js-view-dom-id-170e187eaf87f1a3c33eac3d52d7d5b1a70a4ce101288d195cc70ce6bd43f649"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-tags"><div class="field-content"><div class="item-list"><ul class="list-group"><li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/tags/climate-action" hreflang="en">climate action</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </main> <div class="sidebar_second sidebar order-last col-lg-3" id="sidebar_second"> <aside class="section" role="complementary"> <div class="views-element-container block block-views block-views-block-content-related-block-related-stories" id="block-views-block-content-related-block-related-stories"> <h2 class="block-title block__title"> Related Stories </h2> <div class="block-content block__content"> <div><div class="view view-content-related view-id-content_related view-display-id-block_related_stories js-view-dom-id-f8a7d920d57e56f5306529adc964240ec0d12241466723032199f8a9d36a8d3c"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-story-photo"><span class="field-content"><a href='/en/story/2021/01/1083032'><img src="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production+Library/26-01-2021_Unsplash_climate-protest.jpg/image100x100cropped.jpg" alt="A climate change demonstration in Erlangen, Germany." title="A climate change demonstration in Erlangen, Germany." loading="lazy" width="100" height="100" /> </a></span></div> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><h3 class="field-content"> <a href="/en/story/2021/01/1083032" hreflang="en">Climate litigation spikes, giving courts an ‘essential role’ in addressing climate crisis</a></h3></div></div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-story-photo"><span class="field-content"><a href='/en/story/2023/03/1135142'><img src="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Collections/Embargoed/22-03-2023-UNICEF-Tokelau-water.jpg/image100x100cropped.jpg" alt="Children play on a jetty on Fale Island in the Pacific Ocean archipelago of Tokelau." title="Children play on a jetty on Fale Island in the Pacific Ocean archipelago of Tokelau." loading="lazy" width="100" height="100" /> </a></span></div> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><h3 class="field-content"> <a href="/en/story/2023/03/1135142" hreflang="en">General Assembly votes to seek World Court’s opinion, in quest for ‘bolder’ climate action </a></h3></div></div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-story-photo"><span class="field-content"><a href='/en/story/2018/03/1004152'><img src="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/assets/2018/03/752794-NICA-Guterres-Bloomberg.jpg/image100x100cropped.jpg" alt="Secretary-General António Guterres (right) meets with Michael R. Bloomberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Climate Action." title="Secretary-General António Guterres (right) meets with Michael R. Bloomberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Climate Action." loading="lazy" width="100" height="100" /> </a></span></div> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><h3 class="field-content"> <a href="/en/story/2018/03/1004152" hreflang="en">UN chief appoints former New York Mayor as Special Envoy for Climate Action</a></h3></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured-bottom"> <aside class="container clearfix" role="complementary"> <section class="region region-featured-bottom-first"> <div class="views-element-container block block-views block-views-block-content-fields-block-news-tracker" id="block-views-block-content-fields-block-news-tracker"> <h2 class="block-title block__title"> News Tracker: Past Stories on This Issue </h2> <div class="block-content block__content"> <div><div class="view view-content-fields view-id-content_fields view-display-id-block_news_tracker js-view-dom-id-bb6eab0ebfc3a679f987fa83245c470a19724aa44fdc1ee8cc55b4228c6db45d"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-story-photo"><div class="field-content"><a href='/en/story/2024/11/1157416'><img src="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/23-11-2024_COP29-venue1_UNFCCC.jpg/image350x235cropped.jpg" alt="Wide shot of the plenary hall at the UN climate conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan." title="Wide shot of the plenary hall at the UN climate conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan." loading="lazy" width="350" height="235" /> </a></div></div> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><h3 class="field-content"> <a href="/en/story/2024/11/1157416" hreflang="en">COP29 climate talks end with $300 billion annual pledge, Guterres calls deal a ‘base to build on’</a></h3></div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-date"><div class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-11-23T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">23 November 2024</time> </div></div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-topics"><div class="field-content"><a href="/en/news/topic/climate-change" hreflang="en">Climate and Environment</a></div></div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-story-lead"><div class="field-content"><p><span>Rich nations pledged to contribute at least $300 billion annually to the global fight against climate change as UN climate talks came to a contentious end early Sunday morning in Baku. Developing nations who had sought over $1 trillion in assistance called the agreement “insulting” and argued it did not give them the vital resources they required to truly address the complexities of the climate crisis.</span></p> </div></div></div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-story-photo"><div class="field-content"><a href='/en/story/2024/09/1154911'><img src="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/25-09-2024-GA_debate_small_islands.jpg/image350x235cropped.jpg" alt="Children in a Pacific Island stand in an area heavily affected by sea level rise and coastal erosion. " title="Children in a Pacific Island stand in an area heavily affected by sea level rise and coastal erosion. " loading="lazy" width="350" height="235" /> </a></div></div> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><h3 class="field-content"> <a href="/en/story/2024/09/1154911" hreflang="en">Island nations unite at UN: ‘Empty pledges’ will not save future generations</a></h3></div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-date"><div class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-09-25T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">25 September 2024</time> </div></div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-topics"><div class="field-content"><a href="/en/news/topic/un-affairs" hreflang="en">UN Affairs</a></div></div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-news-story-lead"><div class="field-content"><p>As wars and crises dominate global headlines, leaders from small island developing States used the UN General Assembly platform to sound the alarm on climate change – their most pressing existential threat – warning that it is obliterating economies and livelihoods.</p> </div></div></div> </div> </div> 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