Australia joins Vanuatu bid for international court to rule on obligation to prevent climate harm

Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, during 2015’s Cyclone Pam. Australia will co-sponsor Vanuatu’s bid for the international court of justice to rule on the climate crisis, including the legal consequences for causing significant environmental harm. Photograph: Reuters

Australia will co-sponsor Vanuatu’s historic bid for the international court of justice to rule on the climate crisis, including the legal consequences for causing significant environmental harm.

The Pacific island country will soon put a resolution to the UN general assembly seeking an opinion on the international legal obligations that countries have to act on the climate crisis.