Our Journey
Origins
In 2019, a group of 27 students from the University of the South Pacific came together to begin a campaign to persuade the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum to take the issue of climate change and human rights to the International Court of Justice. The early days of the organisation saw collaborations with grassroots communities and their initiatives and outreach about this new and unique campaign.
Endorse the AO
The initial phase of campaigning was for PISFCC to garner support from as much States as possible. The obvious initial target audience was the Pacific States. The outreach was carried out by our members that had grown from the initial 27 members to 100+ members located all across the Pacific, all pushing for their States to formally endorse the campaign and support the initiative.
Pacific Islands Forum
Endorsement
In August 2022, the Pacific Island Forum convened for its 51st Leader’s Meeting. Vanuatu tabled on the agenda for Pacific Leaders to formally endorse the request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States with regards to climate change and human rights. The result of this agenda was a unanimous endorsement of all PIF member countries as reflected in the 51st communique.
New York Campaign
Following the endorsement of the region, the campaign moved to New York, where the youth movement began mobilising to garner the support of missions, civil society, academics in the leadup to the vote at the UNGA. A core group of countries was brought together by the Vanuatu government to lead the negotiations on the draft UNGA resolution and after 3 rounds of informal informals, our biggest milestone yet was achieved
On the 29th of March 2023, the UNGA unanimously adopted Resolution 77/276 calling on the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion on the obligations of states relating to climate change. This was a historic achievement for us because this was the first advisory opinion request that went through the UNGA by consensus.
UNGA Unanimous Adoption
Following the UN General Assembly's adoption of Resolution 77/276 on 29 March 2023, the International Court of Justice issued an order on 4 August 2023 regarding the obligations of states in respect of climate change. The Court extended the deadline for written statements to 22 January 2024 and the deadline for written comments on these statements to 22 April 2024, in accordance with its Statute.
The Climate Advisory Opinion Proceedings
#ClimateICJAO
Written Submissions
The deadline was extended from January to March to allow more time for submissions, and by March 22, 2024, the International Court of Justice received a record 91 written statements from States and authorised international organisations, the highest number ever filed in an advisory proceeding. This unprecedented response highlights the urgency and significance of the climate crisis on the global stage.
#ClimateJusticeAtTheICJ
The deadline, originally set for April, was extended, and on August 15, 2024, the International Court of Justice received 62 Written Comments in response to 91 Written Submissions.
Written Comments
On 8 November 2024, ICJ announced that the oral hearings were to be held from Monday, 2 December, to Friday, 13 December 2024.
Bringing Climate Change to the ICJ
Following the announcement of the oral hearing dates, the campaign shifted its focus to The Hague, where the International Court of Justice is located. We mobilised to rally support from youth activists, civil society, allies, and supporters in the lead-up to the oral hearings. During the proceedings, 96 states and 11 international organisations presented oral statements. Our President spoke on the opening day, while our Director addressed the court on the final day, ensuring that the voices of the Pacific and the tragic realities of the climate crisis were heard by the ICJ judges.
We hosted events to highlight why the Pacific is fighting for climate justice, joined by supporters and frontline witnesses who shared powerful testimonies. These testimonies were compiled into an outcomes document, called the People’s Petition, which was delivered to the ICJ judges and referenced in court.
The hearings on the request for an advisory opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change concluded on 13 December 2024.
The Court is now in deliberations, with the advisory opinion to be delivered at a public sitting, the date of which will be announced later.