Dead Island 2

Could the law of the sea be used to protect small island states from climate change?

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 24, 2023

Climate change will wreak havoc on small island developing states in the Pacific and elsewhere.

Key Points: 
  • Climate change will wreak havoc on small island developing states in the Pacific and elsewhere.
  • So island states are asking whether obligations to address climate change might be contained in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
  • It is possible small island states could one day be compensated for the damage done.
  • Read more:
    COP26 failed to address ocean acidification, but the law of the seas means states must protect the world's oceans

Why seek an advisory opinion?

    • The answers to these questions are known as advisory opinions.
    • Advisory opinions are not legally binding, they are authoritative statements on legal matters.
    • The tribunal has delivered two advisory opinions in the past: on deep seabed mining and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.
    • One avenue to achieve this is through an advisory opinion from the tribunal.

The question before the tribunal

    • (b) to protect and preserve the marine environment in relation to climate change impacts, including ocean warming and sea level rise, and ocean acidification?
    • That provides clues as to which sections of the treaty the tribunal will refer to in its opinion.
    • The question refers explicitly to the part of the convention entitled “Protection and Preservation of the Marine Environment”.

What if states do not meet their obligations?

    • And if so, in what ways does the convention require that they be addressed by states?
    • What the commission’s question does not ask is, what happens when states do not meet their obligations?
    • Sustained pressure from small island states is advancing our understanding of the obligations of states to address climate change.
    • Read more:
      The UN is asking the International Court of Justice for its opinion on states' climate obligations.

GLOBAL CITIZEN LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN 'POWER OUR PLANET: ACT TODAY. SAVE TOMORROW.'

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 27, 2023

NEW YORK, April 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Global Citizen, the world's leading international advocacy organization on a mission to end extreme poverty NOW, launched its new global campaign, Power Our Planet: Act Today. Save Tomorrow. Announced during the Global Citizen NOW action summit in New York City, and Co-Chaired by Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, Power Our Planet is a global effort to mobilize critical financing for developing countries to fight climate change and extreme poverty.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, April 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Global Citizen, the world's leading international advocacy organization on a mission to end extreme poverty NOW, launched its new global campaign, Power Our Planet: Act Today.
  • The campaign will amplify their calls for action through advocacy initiatives, activations, and live events.
  • Join me and take action as part of Global Citizen's Power Our Planet campaign."
  • *In 2009, wealthy nations promised to allocate $100B annually in climate financing by 2020 as part of the Paris Agreement.

Minister Guilbeault advances global solutions on climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution at Climate Week in New York

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 23, 2022

Canada's Environment and Climate Change Minister, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, was in New York City this week to attend meetings and events during Climate Week in New York on the margins of the 77th United Nations General Assembly.

Key Points: 
  • Canada's Environment and Climate Change Minister, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, was in New York City this week to attend meetings and events during Climate Week in New York on the margins of the 77th United Nations General Assembly.
  • These events provided opportunities to engage with partners to focus on finding solutions to global problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
  • The Minister also met with Jennifer Morgan, Special Envoy for International Climate Action for Germany, to discuss important progress underway on the Climate Finance Delivery Plan.
  • Minister Guilbeault participated in the first gathering of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution.