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
Elvis' granddaughter Riley Keough fights Graceland estate auction
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The granddaughter of Elvis Presley is fighting an attempt to publicly auction2024-05-22Lele Pons reveals she was attacked by pit bull while defending her dog from being mauled
Lele Pons has revealed she was attacked by a pit bull after it attempted to savage her dog.The YouTu2024-05-22- To celebrate Earth Day, Airbnb has revealed its 10 most wish-listed UK 'Earth homes', rentals that a2024-05-22
The Islamic State group says it was behind a mosque bombing in Afghanistan that killed 6 people
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a deadly shooting this week2024-05-22- BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — ESPN will carry England’s FA Cup in the U.S. through 2028 after reaching a fou2024-05-22
- It's no longer just an idea - but rather a fully formed film with an overwhelmingly positive respons2024-05-22
atest comment