A total of ten Caribbean countries highlighted the often devastating and deadly effects climate change has on the region at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Through powerful videos depicting flooding and destruction from natural disasters, along with heartfelt appeals from prime ministers and government officials, they conveyed a united message on the urgent need for action.
Earlier this year, a record-breaking 91 countries submitted written statements to the court seeking an advisory opinion on states’ obligations regarding climate change.
Some countries that did not give written statements took the opportunity to give oral presentations at the hearings from December 2-13.
[caption id="attachment_1127972" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Claudette Joseph, Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs of Grenada- UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek. Courtesy of the ICJ.[/caption]
In total, 96 countries presented orally, as well as 11 international organisations.
The idea of going to the ICJ was first proposed by Vanuatu, a South Pacific island, in 2021.
Caricom then pledged full support for 2022.
Among the Caribbean countries to give written or oral statements were Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia.
What is an advisory ICJ decision?
The ICJ says despite its advisory opinions being non-binding (having no legal power), they “carry great legal weight and moral authority.”
It explains, “Contrary to judgments, and except in rare cases where it is expressly provided that they shall have binding force, the court’s advisory opinions are not binding.
“The requesting organ, agency or organisation remains free to decide, as it sees fit, what effect to give to these opinions.
But despite this, it says its advisory decisions are often “an instrument of preventive diplomacy and help to keep the peace.
“In their own way, advisory opinions also contribute to the clarification and development of international law and thereby to the strengthening of peaceful relations between states.”
Grenadian PM, AG: A struggle against climate-induced debt
Grenada’s presentation began with an emotional video showing the devastation caused this year by Hurricane Beryl.
Grenadian prime minister Dickon Mitchell, who spoke via video, said the lives of citizens were literally “turned upside down.
“The destruction was heartbreaking. Every sector of our economy felt Beryl’s wrath. Our infrastructure, homes, schools, churches, public hospitals and even our newly built solar farm were destroyed. Sea-level rise has caused even the graves of our loved ones to be swallowed up by the ocean.”
He said Grenada is facing the “vicious financial cycle” of having to rebuild after every extreme climatic event.
“The international community must recognise this debt and take decisive action to address this harm through financial compensation, reparations and technical support.”
Grenada’s attorney general Claud
