Top UN court’s ruling to protect climate could impact Canadi

[Oscar]

Top UN court’s ruling to protect climate could impact Canadian lawsuits, Carney’s ‘nation-building’ projects

by Eleanor Wand, Hill Times, July 31, 2025

EXCERPT: "The International Court of Justice's ‘historic’ advisory opinion, which rules that states are legally obligated to protect the environment, could trickle down to Canada's courts, affecting a case set to head back to court in Ontario, say observers. Photograph courtesy of the International Court of Justice.

A recent International Court of Justice ruling which concludes that states are obligated to protect the environment and address climate change marks a “historic” win, and could impact cases currently making their way through Canada’s courts, as well as public policy, say environmental advocates.

The United Nations’ highest court issued its advisory opinion on July 23, ruling that states failing to adequately reduce fossil fuel emissions could be forced to pay climate reparations and make other restitutions under international law. The International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s 133-page ruling says states are liable for actions that further climate change or harm the environment, taking a specific focus on the impact of fossil fuel production and use. . . . ."

[ https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/07 ... ts/468951/ ]