UN General Assembly Reinforces Accountability for Climate Polluters

NEW YORK – The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution yesterday affirming the International Court of Justice’s ruling that countries have an obligation to reduce carbon pollution within their borders and are legally responsible to live up to climate pledges, while reducing fossil fuel consumption. The resolution, led by the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, passed the Assembly overwhelmingly, sending a strong climate action signal globally.

Following is a response from Yamide Dagnet, International senior vice president at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“Climate justice prevails! The world sent a resounding signal that multilateralism and science matter and can deliver for the people and the planet.

“There will be a lot of noise about the difficulty in enforcing this resolution, but the reality is that it represents a watershed moment for polluter accountability. Moving forward, regulators and courts have an additional tool in their arsenal to compel nations and companies to look at how they can put people over pollution and better protect the world’s most impacted communities and countries, with dignity.

“Bravo to the Small Island States, the youths, and frontline communities who refused to stand down. Their energy, tenacity, and leadership led to this win.”

Text of the resolution is available at: https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/ltd/n26/115/58/pdf/n2611558.pdf

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).