The island nation of Vanuatu has been the driving force behind efforts to get the International Court of Justice to deliver its first-ever legal opinion on climate change."And you don't have a legal right to do that under international law.

Student Vepaiamele says the international court's advisory opinion also affirms countries' legal obligations to combat climate change and protect human rights.

In a landmark decision, the International Court of Justice found that polluting countries are now legally obligated to address global warming. In a unanimous ruling by a panel of 15 judges, the court said high-emitting countries do have legal obligations under international law to address the “urgent and existential threat” of climate change.

The International Court of Justice found that polluting countries are now legally obligated to address global warming.

Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change speaks to Christiane Amanpour about the landmark climate ruling by the International Court of Justice.

The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is living with the daily realities of climate change, as intensifying cyclones, rising seas and saltwater intrusion reshape its coasts and disrupt life

In a landmark advisory opinion, the United Nations’ top court said countries could be in violation of international law if they fail to take measures to protect the planet from climate change, and nations harmed by its effects could be entitled to reparations.