From the Hague to Belém : Did the ICJ Advisory Opinion matter at COP30?
On 23 July 2025, the ICJ delivered a landmark Advisory Opinion on States’ climate obligations. This paper examines whether, and to what extent, it influenced COP30 in Belém. Many hoped it would serve as a legal lever; in practice, it was barely referenced and omitted from all final decision texts, though very much present in informal discussions. This is hardly a triumph, but litigation, particularly the Opinion, does have a role to play in climate governance, one that should not be overlooked.
