In September 2021, the Government of Vanuatu announced its intentions to take climate change to the International Court of Justice seeking an Advisory Opinion. Such an advisory opinion would be a potent tool in bolstering state action on climate change, complement and strengthen the Paris Agreement, integrate human rights and climate change law and provide necessary baselines for state action on climate change.

The road to the ICJ requires the UN General Assembly to pass a resolution requesting the ICJ to provide its opinion on the matter. A strong diplomatic political push was therefore underway from governments, and civil society in a bid to secure the necessary support at the General Assembly for such a resolution.

Civil Society Organisations from the Pacific and across the world had indicated their support and willingness to engage and advance this campaign both in the region and beyond and have formed an initial alliance that would grow to include other CSO and non-state actors interested in the campaign.

Together we are the Alliance for a Climate Justice Advisory Opinion (ACJAO) and we are asking world leaders to support the ICJAO campaign.