Six years ago, human rights lawyer Julian Aguon received a significant call from the foreign affairs minister of Vanuatu, who sought his assistance in developing a legal case on behalf of law students pursuing climate justice at the world’s highest court. Based in Guam, Aguon embraced the opportunity, believing that his work could help dispel long-standing legal ambiguities that hampered the international community’s response to the climate crisis.
Over the years, Aguon and his team gathered testimonies from various Pacific nations, including Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, capturing the profound impacts of climate change on local communities. Those who shared their experiences overcame cultural hesitations to reveal sacred knowledge tied to their environment and culture, hoping such revelations would contribute to a more sustainable future.
In 2025, Aguon presented the case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, leading to a groundbreaking ruling that asserted nations’ legal obligations to prevent climate harm. Aguon believes this ruling signifies a pivotal moment for climate accountability, urging countries to address the climate crisis decisively.
On December 2, Aguon, alongside the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC), will be honored with the Right Livelihood Award—often regarded as the alternative Nobel Prize—for their dedicated efforts in this crucial area. They will join other noteworthy recipients, including a group from Myanmar, an aid organization in Sudan, and Taiwanese civic technologist Audrey Tang.
The Right Livelihood Awards, established in 1980 after a proposal for new Nobel Prizes was rejected, have recognized many influential figures, such as Edward Snowden and Greta Thunberg. Vishal Prasad, director of PISFCC, remarked that the award highlights the collective determination of Pacific Islanders striving to preserve their homes, emphasizing that the accolade belongs to everyone in the region.
Aguon posits that this recognition could inspire a surge in rights-based climate litigation, potentially leading to reparations claims and funds for ecosystem restoration. In 2014, Aguon founded Blue Ocean Law, rooted in the belief that Indigenous communities can provide vital solutions to global challenges. The firm focuses on prioritizing Indigenous rights and culture, envisioning a “new legal order” built on respect and responsibility to future generations.
Ralph Regenvanu, the Vanuatu minister who originally reached out to Aguon, selected Blue Ocean Law for its capacity to represent both the legal and cultural dimensions of the case. Looking ahead, Aguon’s firm is crafting legal strategies against deep-sea mining in the Pacific, advocating for Indigenous guardianship of the oceans. He asserts this approach is essential for preserving marine ecosystems and cultural survival, while also addressing land and water contamination to secure access to medicinal plants for cultural practices.
Aguon emphasizes the importance of protecting Indigenous rights in practical ways that foster thriving communities in their ancestral spaces, adding that it is imperative to explore all potential avenues for safeguarding their futures.
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