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Professor Benjamin Advocates for Historic Climate Change Opinions

Professor Lisa Benjamin recently submitted co-authored briefs advocating for state obligations.

Professor Lisa Benjamin
Professor Lisa Benjamin
Credit: Nina Johnson

Professor Lisa Benjamin recently submitted co-authored briefs advocating for state obligations regarding climate change to both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) as part of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Global Law Alliance clinic students Antonia Langowski ’25, Ally Grimaldi ’24, and Rianka Macwan ’24 supported the effort with their research. The briefs were co-authored by members of the IUCN World Commission on Nature.

The request for ITLOS and ICJ advisory opinions was spearheaded by the Commission of Small Island States. The opinions that ICJ and ITLOS issue would be groundbreaking. “These advisory opinions are historic,” says Benjamin. “Never before have we seen international courts and tribunals issue opinions regarding state obligations on climate change. While they will only be advisory opinions, the hope is that they will set progressive expectations for ambitious state action on the climate crisis.”

The ITLOS opinion is expected to be issued in 2024. The ICJ opinion is expected next year.

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