Plant-for-the-Planet Statement on the ICJ Advisory Opinion: A Historic Decision in the Fight Against the Climate Crisis

Tutzing, 24 July 2025 – On 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague published a landmark advisory opinion on climate policy. For the first time in history, the ICJ made it clear that states must fulfil their obligations in the fight against the climate crisis. The global community must therefore intensify its efforts.

ICJ Advisory Opinion Makes It Clear: A Healthy Environment Is a Human Right

Plant-for-the-Planet warmly welcomes the advisory opinion of the ICJ. It makes one thing clear: States must adhere to the Kyoto Protocol, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Paris Agreement. “We are glad that the Court emphasized the importance of meeting the 1.5-degree target and reminded states that this commitment has been signed and must therefore be upheld,” says Jule Schnakenberg. She was present at the announcement of the opinion as a member of the initiative World’s Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ). Her initiative closely collaborated with Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) and supported them on their path to the highest court.

The judges also made clear that a healthy environment—including the Earth’s climate system—is a human right that must be protected. The advisory opinion instructs states to uphold this human right and thereby safeguard the lives of future generations.

The climate crisis, the judges stated, poses an existential threat to us all. Countries must therefore finally work together across borders to fight the climate crisis collectively. Plant-for-the-Planet calls on governments worldwide to take the Court’s advisory opinion seriously, to step up their efforts, and to align their policies consistently with the 1.5°C target.

ICJ Paves the Way for Greater Climate Justice

Although the advisory opinion is not legally binding, Plant-for-the-Planet sees it as a significant step toward greater climate justice. We would have wished for specific obligations for individual states to emerge from the advisory opinion in order to demand more targeted and effective action. Nevertheless, the advisory opinion will have an impact on several ongoing climate cases before other courts: the ICJ has made it unmistakably clear that states can face legal consequences if they ignore their climate targets.

“The ICJ’s advisory opinion is a big and important step in the right direction,” says Jens Waltermann, lawyer and Executive Director of Plant-for-the-Planet. “However, the advisory opinion also shows that many judges believe the current climate obligations of states do not go far enough. This highlights that there are voices within the ICJ calling for far-reaching measures in the fight against the climate crisis.”

Plant-for-the-Planet Climate Justice Ambassador Jule Schnakenberg in The Hague

The climate crisis is already having dramatic consequences today – as demonstrated by the initiators who made this ICJ opinion possible in the first place. The outstanding efforts of WYCJ and PISFCC have shown that young people’s voices are vital in the fight against the climate crisis.

Jule Schnakenberg, a long-time Climate Justice Ambassador and staff member of the Politics & Advocacy Team at Plant-for-the-Planet, and her fellow activists have overcome a major hurdle through their commitment. Change is possible—and it can succeed if we work together and if states finally take responsibility for a just and livable future. That is precisely what the ICJ advisory opinion makes clear.

Press contact: Victoria Krumbeck | PR & Communications | 08808-92108131 | [email protected]