Antigua and Barbuda makes written submissions to ICJ for climate justice

Antigua and Barbuda is making a significant push for climate justice and has submitting a written argument to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which will look to obtain an Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States with regards to Climate Change.

This move by Antigua and Barbuda is an essential step which initiates a legal process which will establish the framework, on the basis of which nations will be made aware of their obligations towards curbing climate change and averting the ill-effects of the climate crisis.

According to Antigua and Barbuda, the Advisory Opinion will allow the International Court of Justice to guide states into playing a more hands on role in vital fields such as mitigation, adaptation, finance and technical support, while also raising the bar for international ambitions, when it comes to fighting climate change.

Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, spoke highly of small island developing states such as Vanuatu and Tuvalu, making it evident that such states play a crucial role in ensuring that every nation in the world takes climate change seriously and not just those which are disproportionately impacted by it having had very little contribution in causing the problem in the first place.

Prime Minister Browne feels that nations must bear responsibility for their role in elevating the climate crisis to the point it has now reached and take steps to bring the issue under control, in accordance with the true essence of climate justice.

Boris Latour, the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda, highlighted the fact that small island states are far more affected by climate change than other nations, adding that, “Without urgent climate action, most, if not all, island states will disappear. This historic submission underscores our nation’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding our planet for future generations and reaffirms our dedication to multilateralism and the rule of law.”

Understandably, he believes that the international fraternity needs to make a collective and urgent effort in this regard.

This submission by Antigua and Barbuda is seen as a historic development and will also benefit other developing states around the world, which are now making excellent contributions to the International Court of Justice.

The legal process is meant to guide international efforts to curtail the climate crisis and make sure tat considerations are made towards nations which have been impacted by climate change in a disproportionate manner.

Antigua and Barbuda has appreciated the expertise of Sidley Austin LLP and has facilitated the firm’s participation in the proceedings which are to follow. Its inclusion in the Commission of Small Island States (COSIS) has ensured that it has been able to take a definitive stance which has been popularized around the world.

The UN General Assembly initiated procedures for an Advisory Opinion on climate obligations on March 29, 2023, after the issue was raised initially by Vanuatu with the hope of developing a shared sense of responsibility around the world.

Since a diverse array of nations have made submissions, the universal appeal of such a step has become apparent in recent times and calls for climate justice have intensified as a result.

The delegation from Antigua and Barbuda was headed by Boris Latour, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the UNOG and UNOV.

It also included the dignitaries such as Colin Murdoch, Ambassador and Permanent Observer of OECS to the UNOG; Zachary Phillips, Agent to ICJ for Antigua and Barbuda in the Advisory Opinion proceedings; Timothée Bauer, Deputy Permanent Representative in the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to UNOG and UNOV and Joel Richards, Counsellor in the OECS Permanent Mission to the UNOG.

The depth of the delegation and the manner in which the submission was made is being seen as a clear sign of intent from Antigua and Barbuda, which has forced many nations around the world to take notice of this issue and play a more important role in seeking Climate Justice for states which have been affected the most.