From the United Nations, a highly significant ruling. This month, the UN voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution backing a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change.
The resolution was brought forward by the Pacific Island of Vanuatu - one of the most climate-vulnerable island nations - and says that states are obligated to reduce fossil fuel use and tackle global warming.
The Members of the Court | INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE. (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2026, from https://www.icj-cij.org/node/205690
While not legally binding, the ruling is being seen to have potential to be a diplomatic lever.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said that the resolution is a landmark one and is a ‘powerful affirmation’ of international law, climate justice and science.
He noted that renewables are being found to be cheaper and a more secure form of energy and that the goal of keeping global temperature rises to no more than 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels is still within reach. This goal was adopted as part of the Paris Agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference in 2015.
Australia's representative to the United Nations, James Larsen, provided qualified support stating: ‘Australia is committed to upholding its obligations under international law to protect the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions’.
Conversely, he said: ‘Our support for this resolution should not be interpreted as our agreement with every element of the advisory opinion. Nor should it be read as our acceptance of the way the resolution interprets each of the Court's conclusions’.
Whether this statement of partial abstention is related to Australia's refusal to phase out fossil fuels — given the industry is among Australia's largest export earners – is up for debate. Critics point out that the urgency of the climate crisis should put pressure on the Australian government to curb Australia's oil and gas sector, especially with climate scientists projecting worsening outcomes in the coming years.
In Australia, fossil fuels account for 91% of Australia's total energy mix, while renewables make up only 9% of Australia's total energy usage.
Australian energy consumption—Fuel type | energy.gov.au. (2025). Retrieved June 9, 2026, from https://www.energy.gov.au/energy-data/australian-energy-statistics/data-charts/australian-energy-consumption-fuel-type
Article by Lydia Koulaouzos
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