The Trump administration is actively pushing other countries to persuade Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation, to withdraw a United Nations draft resolution that advocates for significant action against climate change, including reparations for nations failing to take preventive measures. In guidance released last week, the U.S. State Department expressed strong objections to the proposal under discussion at the UN General Assembly, arguing that its adoption could severely threaten U.S. industries.
According to a cable sent to U.S. embassies and consulates, President Trump believes that many nations have exaggerated climate change, branding it as the world’s greatest threat. This stance reflects the administration’s ongoing efforts to distance the U.S. from global climate initiatives. Recently, the government reversed a scientific finding that has been pivotal for regulating greenhouse gas emissions, and last month, it announced plans to withdraw from the UN treaty overseeing international climate negotiations.
The draft resolution, which is circulating among the 193-member General Assembly, arises from a landmark advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last July. The ICJ indicated that nations could violate international law if they do not take steps to counter climate change and that nations adversely affected might be entitled to reparations. While the court’s opinion is not legally binding, it represents a significant moment in international climate law.
The resolution proposes concrete multinational actions, including the creation of national climate action plans aimed at limiting global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, phasing out subsidies for fossil fuels, and requiring nations that violate obligations to provide timely reparations for climate damages. It also seeks to set up an International Register of Damage to document evidence and claims related to climate change.
Vanuatu’s UN Ambassador Odo Tevi is advocating for a vote on the resolution by the end of March, emphasizing that it would clarify the ICJ’s ruling and bolster global climate action and international cooperation. Meanwhile, Louis Charbonneau, UN director of Human Rights Watch, highlighted the responsibility of governments to protect human rights by safeguarding the environment, urging support for the draft resolution.
Despite General Assembly resolutions lacking legal binding power, the ICJ’s stance underscores an international obligation to address the climate crisis. Candy Ofime, a climate justice researcher, noted that the resolution seeks to turn the ICJ’s interpretation of legal standards into actionable accountability for states, which could lead to political pushback from wealthier, higher-emitting countries concerned about historical responsibilities.
In its communication, the State Department plans to instruct other nations to encourage Vanuatu to retract the draft resolution, describing it as more problematic than the original court opinion. They believe that G7 countries, as well as China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, share similar concerns.
This ongoing dialogue highlights the clash between international efforts to address climate change and certain nations’ resistance to what they perceive as “UN overreach.” Many scientists warn that climate change is linked to increasing extreme weather events, emphasizing the urgency of effective global action.