Bourgg Int. Law Firm Analyzes Landmark International Court of Justice Ruling on Climate Change

Santiago / The Hague, July 23, 2025 — Bourgg International Law Firm highlights the global significance of the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion, which for the first time explicitly defines the legal obligations of States in addressing the climate crisis.

The advisory opinion, requested by the United Nations General Assembly at the initiative of Vanuatu and supported by over one hundred countries, establishes that:

• States have a legal duty to prevent significant harm to the climate, cooperate with one another, and remedy the damage caused.

• Failure to meet these obligations constitutes an internationally wrongful act, potentially triggering liability and reparations.

• These duties arise not only from specific treaties such as the Paris Agreement, but also from broader principles of international law, including human rights law and the law of the sea.

Legal and Strategic Impact Bourgg views this ruling as a turning point in contemporary international law, as it:

• Strengthens the legal foundation for transnational climate litigation.

• Expands the applicable legal framework by integrating human rights and environmental norms.

• Opens the door to inter-State claims and compensation demands from climate-vulnerable nations against major emitters.

Implications for Clients and Key Sectors Bourgg’s International Law and Environmental Regulation team anticipates that this precedent will:

• Increase regulatory pressure on carbon-intensive industries.

• Require multinational corporations to review and enhance climate compliance and due diligence policies.

• Encourage the use of arbitral and judicial mechanisms to resolve environmental disputes.

Firm Statement

“This ICJ opinion not only redefines State obligations, but will also have a cascading effect on corporate governance and the structuring of international projects. At Bourgg, we are prepared to advise States, corporations, and multilateral organizations in adapting to this new global legal standard,” stated the firm’s International Affairs Department.