HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — A U.N. tribunal on maritime law said Tuesday that countries are legally required to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, a victory for small island nations that are on the front lines of climate change.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea found that carbon emissions qualify as marine pollution and said countries must take steps to mitigate and adapt to their adverse effects.
It was the first ruling to come in three cases in which advisory opinions have been sought from international courts about climate change.
Experts say the decision, though not legally binding, could profoundly impact international and domestic law on climate change.
“The opinion is a clarification of international legal obligations,” said Joie Chowdhury, a senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law.
China, Russia and India are among the 169 parties to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, the treaty that underpins the court. The United States, which is the world’s biggest historic emitter of greenhouse gases, is not a party.
Amy Homma succeeds Jacqueline Stewart to lead Academy Museum
Moment Israel wipes out top Hezbollah commander in precision airstrike on his car in Lebanon
DJ LeMahieu leaves 1st minor league rehab game in 2nd inning with sore right foot
Public schoolboy smashed skulls of two pupils as they slept and tried to kill teacher at £41,000
Maine's governor signs bill to protect providers of abortion, gender
Maine governor vetoes bill to create a minimum wage for agricultural workers
Korean War veteran will finally get his Purple Heart medal, 73 years late
Reliever Drew Smith back with Mets after missing almost 6 weeks with shoulder soreness
Max Fried throws Atlanta's first 9