UCLA School of Law

Over the past sixteen months, important Advisory Opinions on climate change have been issued by the International Court of Justice, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Although the Opinions have different scopes and emphases, their conclusions are strikingly similar. All recognize that climate change poses an urgent existential threat and articulate binding obligations requiring States to curb their emissions and those of corporations under their control. Written as a supplement to our casebook, International Environmental Law and Policy, this user-friendly chapter can be used to teach these significant cases and provide background for those who want an accessible overview.