Date: 22nd of July, 2025 – Online
Session 1: 5am UTC / 12noon Bangkok / 5pm Fiji. Timed for Asia and the Pacific. Register for Session 1
Session 2: 11am Eastern Time / 3pm UTC / 5pm Central Europe Time. Timed for the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Register for Session 2.
Outline
On July 23, the International Court of Justice will deliver its decision on an Advisory Opinion on Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change, having been formally requested to do so by the UN General Assembly. The court has the mandate to consider all sources of international law applicable to the climate including treaties, customary law, general principles of law, judicial decisions (precedent) and scholarly teachings. This includes international environmental law, human rights law and law protecting future generations.
Protecting Our Common Climate System: Earth Governance for a Sustainable Future, a faith and values-based statement to COP 29, highlights the connections between faith-based principles, climate protection and international law, and gives support to the ICJ case on climate change. The decision of the ICJ could be incredibly influential in addressing the human rights implications of climate change and in shaping better climate action in political processes, legislation, national and regional courts, and corporate behaviour. However, as ICJ advisory opinions are not self-implementing, such influence will depend on follow-up action by like-minded governments and civil society.
At this event, on the eve of the court’s decision, we will explore a range of social, political and legal actions and forums that could be utilized – including by faith-based communities – to ensure maximum impact of the ICJ decision to protect the climate and address the human rights implications of climate change.
Speakers:
- Malcolm Dalesa (Vanuatu/New York), Climate Attache, Vanuatu Mission to the UN in New York;
- Philippa Rowland (Australia). Chair, Religions for Peace Australia. President, Multifaith Assoc. South Australia. Active member of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change;
- Vishal Prasad (Fiji). Director, Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change. Core team member, World’s Youth for Climate Justice;
- Dr Michelle Maloney (Australia). Co-founder and National Coordinator, Australian Earth Laws Alliance;
- Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh (Netherlands), Associate Professor of Sustainability Law, University of Amsterdam;
- Prof Emilie Gaillard (France/New Caledonia). Program Lead on Rights of Future Generations, Legal & Economic Research Laboratory, University of New Caledonia;
- Dr Maja Groff (Netherlands). Convenor, Climate Governance Commission. Lecturer at the Hague Academy of International Law.
- Dr Alexander Schmidt, Private Sector Program Lead, Mobilizing an Earth Governance Alliance;
- Renee Gift, Law Division of UN Environment Program;
- Athena Peralta (Switzerland). Director, Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development, Living Planet – Economic and Ecological Justice, World Council of Churches;
- Henrieke Bünger, World Youth for Climate Justice. 2021 PACEY Award Winner;
- Nadia B Ahmad (USA). Associate Professor, Barry University School of Law. Co-Chair, American Bar Association Environmental Justice Task Force.
Organised by: Mobilizing an Earth Governance Alliance (MEGA) and the World Federalist Movement Interfaith Working Group (Transnational Working Group on Values, faith-based perspectives and global governance).
Co-sponsors (list in formation): Australian Earth Laws Alliance, Basel Peace Office, World Future Council, ImPACT Coalition on Strengthening International Judicial Institutions
Contact: Alyn Ware, WFM-IGP Program Director. Email: ware@wfm-igp.org