The resolution, scheduled for debate on Wednesday, was spearheaded by the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, which led a successful 2024 campaign urging the ICJ to clarify states’ duties under international law regarding climate action.

Last year, the Hague-based court concluded that governments are legally obligated to take measures against climate change and warned that failure to meet those obligations could expose states to claims for reparations from countries most vulnerable to climate impacts.

The latest draft resolution describes the ICJ opinion as “an authoritative contribution to the clarification of existing international law” and calls on countries to comply with obligations aimed at protecting the global climate system.

The text also reiterates support for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and references the international commitment adopted at the 2023 climate summit in Dubai to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems.

Negotiations over the resolution, however, resulted in significant revisions after opposition from several major greenhouse gas emitters and industrial economies, according to diplomatic sources.

An earlier proposal to establish an “International Register of Damage” documenting climate-related losses and injuries was removed from the current version after objections from countries including the United States, China, Japan, members of the European Union and oil-producing states.

Those governments argued the mechanism extended beyond the scope of the ICJ opinion and raised concerns about potential pathways toward compensation claims or reparations linked to historical emissions.

Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu defended the revised text, saying the resolution does not create new legal obligations or assign liability to individual states.

“For Vanuatu and for many climate-vulnerable states, this is ultimately about survival,” Regenvanu said, adding that the measure was intended to strengthen multilateral cooperation on climate governance.

Despite the dilution of several provisions, climate advocates said the resolution remains politically significant because it reinforces the growing role of international law in shaping climate accountability.

Joie Chowdhury, senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law, described the current draft as “still a strong text” despite intense diplomatic pressure during negotiations.

Diplomatic sources said the resolution may not secure the broad consensus achieved during the General Assembly’s original request for the ICJ opinion in 2024, with at least one member state expected to call for a formal vote.

The draft also requests that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres prepare a report outlining options to advance compliance with obligations identified in the ICJ ruling.

Speaking at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Guterres said violations of international law were increasingly visible at a time when the global system is under strain and power dynamics are shifting. He stressed that adherence to legal norms was “more important than ever” amid growing geopolitical tensions.

The commemorative session, attended by Willem-Alexander, highlighted both the legacy and current pressures facing the court, which adjudicates disputes between states. Guterres noted that the ICJ is currently handling a rising number of cases, reflecting both its relevance and the complexity of contemporary conflicts.

Recent high-profile proceedings include a case brought by South Africa against Israel alleging violations of the Genocide Convention in Gaza, as well as a landmark environmental advisory opinion issued last year that clarified states’ obligations on climate change and opened the possibility of reparations for non-compliance.

Despite its central role, Guterres said institutions such as the ICJ are increasingly being “questioned and challenged,” with erosion of respect for international law occurring not at the margins but “at the core” of the global system, including among states tasked with maintaining international peace and security.

He reiterated that ICJ rulings are legally binding under the UN Charter, even though the court lacks enforcement mechanisms, a limitation frequently cited by critics. He pointed to the court’s order directing Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine, which was not followed, as an example of the gap between legal authority and political compliance.

Yuji Iwasawa echoed these concerns, warning of “troubling signs” of countries questioning multilateralism and the role of law in international relations. He said such trends place significant pressure on the global legal framework and underscore the fragility of the system.

Guterres framed the moment as a broader choice facing the international community between a rules-based order and one shaped by power politics, emphasizing that respect for international law remains a foundational obligation for all UN member states.