Key Points of the Ruling:
Greenhouse Gases as Marine Pollution: Emissions from fossil fuels and other planet-warming gases absorbed by oceans are considered marine pollution.
State Obligations: Countries must take all necessary measures to prevent, reduce, and control marine pollution related to climate change, going beyond the requirements of the Paris Agreement.
Scientific Basis: States’ targets for cutting greenhouse emissions must be set objectively based on the best available science and relevant international rules and standards.
Support for Developing States: Wealthier nations are expected to shoulder a bigger portion of the burden and support developing states with funding and technical assistance.
Greenhouse Gases as Marine Pollution: Emissions from fossil fuels and other planet-warming gases absorbed by oceans are considered marine pollution.
A global maritime court found on Tuesday that greenhouse gases constitute marine pollution, a major breakthrough for small island states threatened by the rise in sea levels caused by global warming.
In its first climate-related judgment, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea said emissions from fossil fuels and other planet-warming gases that are absorbed by the oceans count as marine pollution. Its ruling – an “advisory opinion” that should nevertheless provide a precedent for cases elsewhere also said countries must go beyond the requirements of the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement to protect the marine environment and the states that depend on it.
Implications of the Ruling:
Increased Accountability: This judgment sets a precedent for holding major polluters accountable for their role in climate change.
Enhanced Climate Action: Countries are expected to take more ambitious action to reduce emissions and protect the marine environment.
Global Cooperation: The ruling highlights the need for international cooperation to address the existential threats posed by climate change, particularly for small island states vulnerable to rising sea levels.
In conclusion, The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea’s landmark ruling that greenhouse gases are marine pollutants marks a crucial step forward in addressing climate change. By holding states accountable for their emissions, this decision sets a precedent for future climate-related cases and underscores the urgent need for global action to protect our oceans.
