Korean Bar Association: "Actively Accepting ICJ's Advisory Opinion on Climate Change"

"Welcoming the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion"

Yonhap News

The Korean Bar Association (President: Kim Jungwook) issued a statement on August 8 welcoming the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s advisory opinion on "States' obligations related to climate change."

Previously, in its advisory opinion, the ICJ stated that the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is an agreed target under the Paris Agreement, and that each country must set its own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for greenhouse gas reductions. The ICJ also found that countries that violate their obligations by excessively emitting greenhouse gases may bear legal responsibility to other countries, including cessation, restoration, and compensation for damages, and expressed the view that "claims for damages between states are possible."

The association stated, "The government and the National Assembly should actively accept this advisory opinion of the ICJ, which follows the intent of the Constitutional Court's decisions and the recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission," and added, "We urge the establishment of a 2035 national greenhouse gas reduction target and a reduction pathway for 2031 to 2049 that are consistent with Korea's responsibility for emissions and its capacity to respond to the climate crisis, thereby contributing to global reduction efforts and faithfully protecting the fundamental rights of the people and future generations from the climate crisis."