Caribbean countries are turning to the International Court of Justice to clarify the financial responsibilities of major polluters for climate-related damages, hoping to break the cycle of debt caused by increasingly destructive hurricanes.
Caribbean islands are pressing the ICJ to issue an opinion that could hold major polluting nations financially accountable for climate damage.
The region faces escalating debts due to frequent, severe storms, with some countries attributing up to 40% of their debt to climate disasters.
The ICJ’s decision could pave the way for debt relief and financial contributions from developed nations to assist in recovery efforts.
Key quote:
“As we can see, that has gotten very little traction and the results are minimal. The temperature rise continues. The effects of severe storms in our region continue.”
— Ryan Pinder, attorney general of the Bahamas
Why this matters:
Caribbean nations are on the front lines of climate change, with severe storms crippling their economies. Legal clarity on financial responsibility could shift the burden from vulnerable nations to those historically responsible for emissions.
Vulnerable nations beset by extreme weather are building a worldwide coalition calling for the International Court of Justice to advise on states’ climate obligations.
Neither of the world's two largest emitters, China and the United States, have signed on as co-sponsors for the motion, which could be up for a vote at the United Nations later this year.
