Regenvanu said there was an urgent need for a response to climate change that was rooted in international law rather than politics. Mario Tama / Getty Images filesWhile advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice or World Court are not binding, they are legally and politically significant. Experts say the court’s eventual opinion on climate change will probably be cited in climate change-driven lawsuits in courts from Europe to Latin America and beyond. “As judges of the World Court, you possess the power ... to help us course correct and renew hope in humanity’s ability to address the greatest challenge of our time,” she said. Earlier on Monday, Germany also argued that the obligations of states with regard to climate change were established in the Paris climate agreement.

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Persons: “, ” Ralph Regenvanu, Regenvanu, ”, Mario Tama, Cynthia Houniuhi, Prince Jalawi Turki al Saud Organizations: Vanuatu, Monday, United Nations, International Court of Justice, Nations Locations: HAGUE, Netherlands, Vanuatu, Port Vila, Europe, Latin America, Solomon Islands, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Germany, Paris, China, United States