Global youth call on Court of the Sea to protect children’s rights and future generations in first ever climate case
Hamburg, Germany, 11th September 2023 - Young people from around the world are calling on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to protect young people and future generations from climate change as it starts hearings for its first ever climate case.
The landmark climate case is brought by some of the world’s most climate vulnerable nations including Antigua and Barbuda, Tuvalu and Vanuatu which are already facing the existential threat of rising sea levels. Starting its hearings today, 34 states and 4 international organizations - including the EU, African Union and China - will make statements before the court on state obligations to protect the oceans and marine environment from climate change over the next two weeks.
Young people from climate vulnerable countries in the Caribbean and Pacific, and joined by many more around the world, are calling on the Tribunal to issue a judgment that will protect young people and future generations from the threats of climate change.
Ashawnte Russell (25y, The Bahamas), Caribbean coordinator with World’s Youth for Climate Justice, said: “Sea level rise is one of the many challenges that poses an existential threat to small island states and communities, especially in the Caribbean. To secure the lives, livelihoods and future of small island states, it is important that the Tribunal draws a clear line in the sand and demands states to curb their greenhouse gas emissions and do more to fight climate change.”
Standing in front of the Tribunal in Hamburg, Mert Kumru (26y, the Netherlands), European front coordinator with World’s Youth for Climate Justice, said: “The ocean is a critical buffer for humans to mitigate the impacts of climate change. To protect young people and future generations from escalating climate impacts, it is crucial that the Tribunal clarifies state obligations to limit climate change.”
Siosiua Alo Veikune (24y, Tonga), Pacific campaigner with World’s Youth for Climate Justice and the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, emphasized the leadership of Pacific countries in fighting climate change: “Using the international judicial system, Pacific states are leading the charge for a global response to climate change. I call on the Tribunal to listen to our pleas and deliver an advisory opinion that demands more climate action from the most polluting states.”
Nicole Ponce (29y, Philippines), Asian front coordinator with World’s Youth for Climate Justice, shared: “In Asia, climate change is driving the mass extinction of marine wildlife, leading to food insecurity and costing the region billions of dollars in revenue. The alarming rate of sea level rise is causing severe destruction of lives and livelihoods along the coastlines of various countries in the region. It is time for the Tribunal to demand more action from states to protect the planet and its people from global heating.”
Khulekani Magwaza (32y, South Africa), African front coordinator with World’s Youth for Climate Justice, emphasized the disproportionate impacts of climate change on the African continent: “Africa is in the eye of the climate emergency it did not create. It is crucial that the Tribunal delivers a judgment that tells states which are more responsible for climate change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect our oceans from climate change, and preserve marine wildlife for future generations.”
Aditi Shetye (27y, India) WYCJ’s Legal Advocacy coordinator highlighted the international relevance of the ITLOS case: “This climate case not only paves the way for cases from regional and UN courts but also highlight the importance of scientific input in shaping judicial decisions. A progressive judgment by the Tribunal will allow the jurisprudence to be recognized and respected by judges across the legal spectrum leading to significant developments in international environmental law.’
José Daniel Rodríguez Orúe (26y, Costa Rica) Latin-America front coordinator with World’s Youth for Climate Justice: “Coastal communities in the Americas and the Caribbean are acutely affected by climate change, grappling with the consequences of sea level rise and ocean pollution driven by greenhouse gas emissions. As young people we are coming together to urge the Tribunal to demand more action from nations more responsible for ocean pollution, thereby paving the way for heightened accountability of states for meeting their climate obligations. ’
The ITLOS hearings will set the stage for another pending advisory opinion before the International Court of Justice on the responsibilities of states to tackle climate change and protect future generations, initiated by the UN General Assembly and driven by young people from around the world.
Note to Editors
About World’s Youth for Climate Justice
World's Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ) is the global youth-led movement behind the historic UN request for an advisory opinion on climate change and human rights from the International Court of Justice (the principal UN Court).
The historic UN resolution was adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 29th March 2023, when the UN responded to the call of young people and the leadership of Vanuatu to request an ICJ advisory opinion on the obligations of states to reduce climate change, showing the significance of this global youth-led climate justice initiative and its support across the world.
With the first climate change ICJ advisory opinion currently pending, WYCJ seeks to clarify state obligations to protect the rights of present and future generations from climate change and make global progress toward intergenerational equity and climate justice, arguments contained in the Youth Climate Justice Handbook.
Website: www.wy4cj.org
Contact persons
Jule Schnakenberg, World’s Youth for Climate Justice, jule@wy4cj.org +31 6 47 70 61 67 (present at ITLOS)
Mert Kumru, World’s Youth for Climate Justice, mert@wy4cj.org +31 6 26 94 37 42 (present at ITLOS)
Marijn Vodegel, World’s Youth for Climate Justice, marijn@wy4cj.org
Quint van Velthoven, World’s Youth for Climate Justice, quint@wy4cj.org
