UN backs world court climate opinion; U.S. among few to oppose
Source: Reuters
By Valerie Volcovici
May 20, 2026 6:18 PM EDT
WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution backing a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change, with the world's biggest historical emitter the United States among those opposing it.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the vote, in which 28 countries abstained, underscored that governments are responsible for protecting citizens from the "escalating climate crisis."
"I welcome the adoption of the General Assembly resolution on the ICJ's advisory opinion on climate change - a powerful affirmation of international law, climate justice, science & the responsibility of states to protect people from the escalating climate crisis," he said in a post on X.
The resolution, brought by the Pacific island Vanuatu, affirms a July 2025 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that states are obligated to reduce fossil fuel use and tackle global warming.
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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/un-backs-world-court-climate-opinion-us-among-few-oppose-2026-05-20/
https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/05/1167561
20 May 2026 Climate and Environment
A landmark General Assembly resolution adopted on Wednesday is "a powerful affirmation" of international law, climate justice and science, according to UN chief Antnio Guterres.
The Secretary-General said it makes clear Member States' responsibility to protect their own people from what is an "escalating climate crisis".
Link to tweet
The resolution drawn up by Vanuatu - a Pacific island nation on the frontline of the climate crisis, and several other countries - was adopted after intense discussion including multiple proposed amendments with 141 votes in favour, eight against and 28 abstentions.
Those voting against were Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the US and Yemen.
When the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN's principal judicial body, ruled in July 2025 that States have an obligation to protect the environment from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the decision was hailed as a breakthrough. The UN chief described it simply as "a victory for our planet".
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