In the face of climate change, the Pacific islands turn to international justice

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum, in Suva, Fiji July 13, 2022. REUTERS - POOL

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2 mins

Threatened by global warming, the Pacific islands are turning to the International Court of Justice.

Meeting last week in Fiji, these island states demanded " 

 " global action on climate change, which poses an " 

 " threat to their survival.

These islands hope that the Court in The Hague can put pressure on the polluting nations. 

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In the middle of the ocean, the Pacific islands are threatened by rising waters, a consequence of the planet's climate change.

Faced with this critical situation and the already visible effects of climate change, these States are requesting arbitration by the International Court of Justice.

They hope that the Court of The Hague considers their survival more important and therefore obliges the polluting countries to make more effort to stop the harmful effects of global warming.

But before the International Court can look into the case, the plan will have to receive the support of a majority of countries at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The Australian paradox

The Pacific Islands have therefore launched an awareness campaign to gain valuable support from other countries.

It targets in particular the New Zealand and Australian neighbours, which have greater weight in the UN.

A paradoxical situation: Australia is one of the largest exporters of coal and gas in the world and is one of

.

But since the departure last May of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, challenged in his own country for his climate inaction, things are moving.

The Australia of new Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already announced that it will support the Pacific Islands' action to seek arbitration at the International Court of Justice while being more ambitious in the fight against change. climatic.

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