Nepal makes progress in climate justice battle with ICJ ruling

 On July 23, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave a landmark advisory opinion on climate justice, marking a major step forward in the global fight against climate change. Requested by the United Nations General Assembly and led by Vanuatu with support from Nepal and other nations, the opinion confirmed that all countries have a legal duty under international law to prevent climate harm and protect the rights of current and future generations.

For Nepal—a country that has barely contributed to global greenhouse gas emissions but suffers greatly from climate impacts—this ruling is more than historic; it’s deeply personal. The ICJ officially recognized the suffering of millions of Nepalis who face the consequences of a crisis they didn’t cause.

Climate Change is More Than an Environmental Issue

For the first time, Nepal presented its case before the ICJ, highlighting the urgent realities it faces: melting glaciers, rising temperatures, floods, landslides, drought, and falling crop yields. Nepal stressed that climate change is not just an environmental emergency, but a serious human rights violation inflicted on communities least responsible for it.

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba spoke powerfully at The Hague, saying, “We are suffering for mistakes we did not make. We are paying the price for crimes we did not commit.” Her words echoed the pain of many nations disproportionately impacted by climate change.

The ICJ’s opinion clarified that obligations under climate agreements like the Paris Agreement are part of a broader legal framework, including human rights law and environmental protections. Countries must prevent climate damage not only within their borders but also to other nations.

This global recognition supports Nepal’s own constitution, which guarantees the right to a healthy environment. It strengthens Nepal’s position to demand accountability, promote climate-resilient development, and seek compensation and cooperation for irreversible climate harm.

A Historic Step for Intergenerational and Corporate Responsibility

One of the court’s key points was the legal responsibility toward future generations—a principle long valued by Indigenous communities in Nepal and worldwide, who see the environment as a shared heritage to be preserved.

The opinion also rejects the idea that only governments are responsible for emissions. It makes clear that states must regulate private companies and industries—especially fossil fuel producers—that cause significant harm. This opens the door to holding big polluters legally accountable.

Though the ICJ’s advisory opinion isn’t legally binding like a court ruling, it carries huge moral and legal weight. It gives communities, activists, and governments a strong tool to push for tougher climate action and to challenge government inaction as a violation of international law.

A Collective Achievement and New Hope

This opinion reflects decades of global efforts by climate justice advocates, including youth movements, legal campaigns, research, and grassroots activism. For Nepal, it’s the result of persistent work by experts, leaders, activists, and policymakers who brought the country’s climate challenges to the world’s attention.

The stories of disappearing glaciers, displaced farmers, dying forests, and drying rivers are now officially seen as evidence of human rights violations—not just environmental problems.

At a time when the climate crisis worsens, the ICJ’s opinion brings hope that international law can be a powerful force for change. It reminds us all that climate action is not optional—it’s a legal and moral obligation.

For Nepal, this moment calls for bold climate leadership: demanding financial support for climate losses, investing in resilience, holding polluters accountable, and pursuing sustainable development.

Though the journey has been difficult, Nepal and other vulnerable nations now stand stronger with the world’s highest court backing their cause. This is not the end, but the start of a new era where justice plays a central role in shaping a fairer climate future.