UN maritime tribunal says countries are legally required to reduce greenhouse gas pollution
HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — A U.N. tribunal on maritime law said Tuesday that countries are legally required to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, a victory for small island nations that are on the front lines of climate change.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea found that carbon emissions qualify as marine pollution and said countries must take steps to mitigate and adapt to their adverse effects.
It was the first ruling to come in three cases in which advisory opinions have been sought from international courts about climate change.
Experts say the decision, though not legally binding, could profoundly impact international and domestic law on climate change.
“The opinion is a clarification of international legal obligations,” said Joie Chowdhury, a senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law.
China, Russia and India are among the 169 parties to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, the treaty that underpins the court. The United States, which is the world’s biggest historic emitter of greenhouse gases, is not a party.
Related articles
At least 6 Egyptian women die after vehicle slides off ferry and plunges into Nile River
CAIRO (AP) — At least six Egyptian women died Tuesday after a vehicle carrying about two dozen peopl2024-05-22How Taylor Swift's British ex Joe Alwyn kept dignified silence during six
Joe Alwyn won't be drawn into a war of words with Taylor Swift despite her savage new album suggesti2024-05-22Idaho group explores ballot initiative for abortion rights, reproductive care
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A new Idaho organization says it will ask voters to restore abortion access and2024-05-22'The Full English will never die out!' Greasy spoon fans speak up for the Great British Fry
Britons enjoying a full English breakfast this morning have dismissed claims that the fry-up could b2024-05-22Election deniers moving closer to GOP mainstream as Trump allies fill Congress, report shows
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the hours after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Ohio’s then-Rep2024-05-22Olympic torch makes Acropolis overnight stop a week before handover to Paris organizers
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The flame that will burn at the Olympics is spending the night at the ancient2024-05-22
atest comment