The International Court of Justice and the Climate-Nuclear Nexus

From legal judgements to political action: ICJ cases on nuclear weapons, climate change and the resolution of international conflicts. 

Nuclear weapons and climate change pose existential threats to humanity that require global cooperation to adequately address. But such cooperation is woefully inadequate. Already, global greenhouse gas emissions have elevated average temperature rise to beyond 1.5 C. Meanwhile the risks of nuclear war by accident, miscalculation or crisis escalation remain high, especially in tensions and armed conflicts involving nuclear armed states.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has key roles to play in this context.

In 1996, the ICJ affirmed that the threat or use of nuclear weapons would generally be illegal and that there is an obligation to negotiate for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. The ICJ is currently considering the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change.

In this event we will discuss connections between the nuclear weapons and climate cases, how to use these cases to build political momentum for nuclear disarmament and climate protection, and the role of the ICJ in the peaceful resolution of conflicts to help build security without reliance on nuclear deterrence or the threat or use of force, consistent with the UN Charter.

SPEAKERS:

• Malcolm Dalesa, Permanent Mission of Vanuatu to the UN
• Rebecca Shoot, Executive Director, Citizens for Global Solutions
• Sophie Rigg. Co-Chair, Climate Action Network UK Board. Strategy Lead, Mobilizing an Earth Governance Alliance

MODERATORS

• Alyn Ware, World Future Council, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND)
• Rehan Mahmood, Youth Fusion, PNND.

A side event of the 2025 Non-Proliferation Treaty Prep-Com
Thursday May 1, 2025. 11:30-12:45
Conference Room A, United Nations