The United Nations General Assembly on May 20, 2026, adopted a resolution backing an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on state obligations regarding climate change. The resolution, which received 161 votes in favor, with 5 against and 28 abstentions, underscores that governments are responsible for protecting citizens from climate harms.
UN Secretary-General AntΓ³nio Guterres welcomed the vote, stating it reaffirms that climate action is a legal duty. The ICJ opinion, issued in March 2026, concluded that countries must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect human rights and the environment.
The United States and Israel were among the five nations voting against the resolution. Other opponents included a few small island states that argued the opinion did not go far enough in holding major polluters accountable.
The resolution calls on all states to implement the ICJ's findings and to enhance their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. It also requests the Secretary-General to report on progress at the next General Assembly session.
Environmental groups praised the vote as a historic step, while some legal experts noted that the advisory opinion is non-binding but carries significant moral and political weight.
