Groundbreaking Court Ruling: Countries Must Safeguard the Human Right to a Stable Climate

A significant ruling has emerged from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR). It declares that everyone has a right to a stable climate, and countries must protect this right. This opinion is especially important as climate change poses extreme risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.

On Thursday, Nancy Hernández López, the court’s president, shared insights from a comprehensive document on climate change and human rights. The court emphasizes that nations have legal obligations to mitigate climate change and safeguard both current and future generations. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to changes, cooperating globally, and combating climate misinformation.

The inquiry began after Colombia and Chile sought clarity on the legal responsibilities of states regarding climate action. In response, the court collected numerous submissions from various stakeholders, including victims of climate breakdown, civil society groups, and academics.

López noted, “The evidence shows that there is no margin for indifference. Success depends on all of us.”

The court’s ruling is not just about adherence to the American Convention on Human Rights—it applies to all 35 members of the Organization of American States (OAS), including the U.S. and Canada. For the first time, the court linked the right to a healthy environment directly to a stable climate, which means that states must regulate emissions from both public and private sectors.

The court pointed out that all businesses should respect human rights, particularly those responsible for high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Industries like fossil fuel extraction and manufacturing face specific scrutiny. If these companies fail to reduce their emissions, the court recommends that their harmful activities be curtailed and that states consider demanding compensation for environmental damage.

Marcella Ribeiro, a senior attorney focused on environmental law, emphasized that this is not merely about transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. It’s an opportunity for deep-seated changes that address historical inequalities and protect both people and ecosystems.

Moreover, the court recognized the rights of nature, urging states to remedy environmental damage caused by climate change. Luisa Gómez, another environmental attorney, pointed out that the ruling establishes a crucial link between the climate crisis and human rights protection. It sends a strong message that neglect in addressing climate issues will not be tolerated.

This is the second major court worldwide to issue an opinion on climate change, following the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, which stated last year that greenhouse gases harm marine environments and require regulatory action. The International Court of Justice is expected to release its opinion soon, while the African Court on Human and People’s Rights has just started its process.

While these advisories are technically nonbinding, they carry weight as authoritative summaries of existing law. They are likely to influence future legal actions and negotiations.

Viviana Krsticevic from the Centre for Justice and International Law remarked that this opinion outlines a valuable roadmap for combatting the climate crisis. It sets national climate strategy standards that could be crucial in the upcoming Cop30 conference in Brazil.

This growing body of legal opinion highlights an emerging consensus: climate actions are a matter of human rights, impacting not just the environment, but the lives and futures of our global community.



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