Vanuatu is advancing a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly aimed at formalizing a significant opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding climate change. This initiative continues despite strong pressure from the Trump administration to withdraw the proposal.
The draft resolution, expected to be voted on by the end of March, seeks to convert the ICJ’s advisory opinion from July 2025 into a definitive “roadmap for state accountability.” The ICJ made a landmark ruling, stating that a clean environment is a fundamental human right. It further asserted that states with high greenhouse gas emissions that fail to safeguard the climate could be infringing upon international law and may face liability for reparations.
Vanuatu’s resolution calls for nations worldwide to adopt ambitious climate strategies, discontinue fossil fuel subsidies, and establish an International Register of Damage to monitor claims related to climate change impacts.
Contrarily, the United States has initiated a vigorous campaign to halt the resolution. A State Department cable sent to all U.S. embassies indicates the administration’s strong objections, contending that the resolution poses a substantial risk to U.S. industry. This stance aligns with President Trump’s belief that the United Nations has deviated significantly in its climate policies. The cable urges U.S. diplomats to convince other countries to persuade Vanuatu to withdraw its proposal, asserting that the resolution bases its claims on speculative climate models that create legal obligations not previously agreed to by states.
Amid this external pressure, Vanuatu’s leadership remains resolute. Climate Envoy Ralph Regenvanu expressed that the current situation evokes a sense of “déjà vu,” reminiscent of a previous U.S. intervention that thwarted a greenhouse gas tax at the International Maritime Organization last October. “We are continuing with the normal process,” Regenvanu affirmed, expressing optimism that the U.S. will participate constructively in the discussions. Human Rights Watch has also encouraged governments to resist intimidation from those dismissing the global scientific consensus.
The draft resolution has attracted support from numerous countries, including Barbados, the Netherlands, and the Philippines, with over 90% of UN member states engaging in meaningful consultations. For Vanuatu—confronting existential threats due to climate change—the resolution goes beyond policy; it embodies a fight for survival. Regenvanu emphasized that upholding the ICJ’s findings is “essential for the credibility of the international system.” This ongoing effort reflects a broader commitment to global climate action and human rights, reinforcing the necessity for international cooperation in the face of climate challenges.
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