Source: Radio New Zealand (world)
Climate activists gathered outside the International Court of Justice in July last year after the court issued its opinion finding countries could be held legally responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions. Photo: Jamie Tahana A United Nations resolution backing the findings of a landmark climate change ruling has been passed with the support of most countries, including New Zealand.
Countries met overnight at the UN General Assembly in New York overnight to decide whether to endorse an International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion issued last year, which found that countries can be held legally responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions.
It passed with 141 countries in favour, 8 against, and 28 abstentions. The resolution was proposed by Vanuatu and was co-sponsored by more than 60 countries, including many Pacific nations that are already threatened by sea-level rise. New Zealand did not sign on as a co-sponsor and Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials would not share New Zealand’s position ahead of the vote.
However, a voting breakdown confirms that New Zealand was among countries to vote in favour. The eight states voting against the resolution were Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Yemen.
New Zealand is among the 141 countries that voted in favour of a resolution recognising and endorsing the ICJ opinion on climate change obligations. Photo: Supplied / Screenshot New Zealand co-sponsored the original resolution in 2023 that asked the ICJ to issue the opinion on states’ climate change obligations.
Ahead of the vote, Environmental Law Initiative researcher Eliza Prestidge-Oldfield told RNZ that one of the crucial findings of the ICJ opinion was that countries must exercise strict “due diligence” in lowering their emissions. “[It’s] saying you actually have to try really, really hard.
You can’t just say, ‘Oh yeah, we’ll get to that later.'” A UN resolution endorsing it “would be a really strong statement that we expect all countries to be doing the best they can on climate change”.
The ICJ opinion would still be the “authoritative legal statement” on states’ obligations even if the resolution had not passed, Prestidge-Oldfield said. That meant it would carry weight in both international and domestic legal decisions on climate change issues, regardless of which states endorsed it.
However, the passing of the resolution would help to translate the opinion into practical, political action. “In lay terms … it’s the political seal of recognition of the [ICJ] decision.” Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Copyright © 2026, Radio New Zealand • NZ’s support for landmark climate change ruling in doubt 20 May 2026 Foreign affairs officials will not say if NZ intends to support a ruling that countries can be held legally responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions.
NZ’s support for landmark climate change ruling in doubt NZ’s support for landmark climate change ruling in doubt Foreign affairs officials will not say if NZ intends to support a ruling that countries can be held legally responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions. • UN’s highest court finds countries can be held legally responsible for emissions 24 Jul 2025 The landmark decision is the culmination of six years of advocacy and diplomatic manoeuvring which started with a group of Pacific university students in 2019.
Audio UN’s highest court finds countries can be held legally responsible for emissions UN’s highest court finds countries can be held legally responsible for emissions The landmark decision is the culmination of six years of advocacy and diplomatic manoeuvring which started with a group of Pacific university students in 2019.
Audio • Climate law changes have ‘clearly struck a nerve’ – experts 19 May 2026 An open letter signed by more than 100 lawyers, climate scientists and legal academics attacks the government’s moves to amend climate laws to prevent companies from being sued over damage.
Climate law changes have ‘clearly struck a nerve’ – experts Climate law changes have ‘clearly struck a nerve’ – experts An open letter signed by more than 100 lawyers, climate scientists and legal academics attacks the government’s moves to amend climate laws to prevent companies from being sued over damage. • ‘From moral duty to legal obligation’: Pacific church leader hails ICJ ruling 31 Jul 2025 Pacific Conference of Churches secretary-geeneral says the landmark climate ruling from the world’s top court is a significant win, but much more work is needed.
Audio ‘From moral duty to legal obligation’: Pacific church leader hails ICJ climate ruling ‘From moral duty to legal obligation’: Pacific church leader hails ICJ ruling Pacific Conference of Churches secretary-geeneral says the landmark climate ruling from the world’s top court is a significant win, but much more work is needed.
Audio • UN’s highest court finds countries can be held legally responsible for emissions 24 Jul 2025 The landmark decision is the culmination of six years of advocacy and diplomatic manoeuvring which started with a group of Pacific university students in 2019.
Audio UN’s highest court finds countries can be held legally responsible for emissions UN’s highest court finds countries can be held legally responsible for emissions The landmark decision is the culmination of six years of advocacy and diplomatic manoeuvring which started with a group of Pacific university students in 2019.
Audio • ‘Bit embarrassing’: EV advocates on scrapping of clean car standard • UN resolution backing landmark climate change ruling passes • NZ’s support for landmark climate change ruling in doubt • Council loans for rooftop solar still waiting on government green light • Hiringa-TR Group partnership close to getting a dozen hydrogen-fuelled trucks on the road for ad-free news and current affairs • Replacing public servants with AI could come with hidden costs, critics warn • Documents reveal how Tuipulotu Vi was allegedly murdered by US hitman Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi • What are New Zealand diets deficient in? • ‘I answered to a name that wasn’t mine’: Being told your name is too hard to say • Youth council claims Napier mayor called them a ‘bunch of idiots’ – he disagrees