The International Court of Justice said that climate change threatens all life and may violate human rights. It also said that citizens can hold governments legally accountable for not taking adequate action to ensure a safe climate.

International Court of Justice determines countries are responsible for corporate emissions and must cooperate to achieve concrete emission reduction targets.

The U.N.'s top court was due to set out a non-binding legal opinion on the extent of legal and financial responsibility countries have for climate change.

In a landmark advisory opinion on July 23, the International Court of Justice said all countries have significant legal responsibilities to prevent further climate harm by slashing their climate pollution rapidly.

Nations must protect current and future generations from environmental harm, says the International Court of Justice.