Vanuatu is advancing a significant resolution at the UN General Assembly aimed at entrenching a crucial opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning climate change, despite facing substantial opposition from the Trump administration. The draft resolution is expected to be voted on by the end of March, seeking to translate the ICJ’s landmark advisory opinion from July 2025 into a tangible “roadmap for state accountability.”
The ICJ’s unanimous ruling emphasized that an unclean environment constitutes a violation of human rights and highlighted that countries with high greenhouse gas emissions that fail to protect the climate system may breach international law and potentially owe reparations. Vanuatu’s resolution calls on nations to implement ambitious climate plans, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, and create an International Register of Damage to help document loss and damage claims related to climate impacts.
In response, the United States has mounted a vigorous campaign to derail this initiative. A recent State Department communiqué sent to U.S. embassies articulates the administration’s strong objections to the resolution, arguing it poses a significant threat to American industries. The cable aligns with President Trump’s comments about the UN’s direction on climate issues and encourages diplomats to persuade other nations to pressure Vanuatu into withdrawing the proposal. Washington contends that the resolution is built on “speculative climate models” that unfairly assign blame and impose unagreed legal obligations on states.
Despite these pressures, Vanuatu’s leadership remains resolute. Climate Envoy Ralph Regenvanu described the situation as reminiscent of a previous U.S. intervention that thwarted a greenhouse gas levy at the International Maritime Organization last October. He expressed confidence that the United States would eventually engage in a constructive manner, while calling on other countries not to be swayed by those rejecting global scientific consensus.
Vanuatu’s initiative has received backing from several nations, including Barbados, the Netherlands, and the Philippines, with more than 90 percent of UN member states participating in consultations. For a nation facing existential threats from climate change, this resolution is not just a policy discussion but a matter of survival. Upholding the ICJ’s findings, as Regenvanu noted, is crucial for maintaining the credibility of the international system. This movement reflects a broader commitment to global accountability and solidarity in the face of climate change challenges.