La The contribution of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to the fight against climate change from its advisory jurisdiction
Abstract
This paper describes the advisory opinion on climate change and oceans issued by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The procedure takes place in a context of high interest by the international community in seeking answers to the climate crisis. Different tribunals have been seized with cases entailing climate issues. Specifically, this advisory opinion sought to respond to the obligations of States parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment, as well as to protect and preserve it, in relation to the deleterious effects of climate change. In the opinion, the Tribunal established important criteria and interpretations of international law in order to answer the requested questions. The paper begins with the background of the request, then jurisdictional issues are presented. It then describes the answers to the questions requested, especially those relative to the application of environmental rules to the negative impacts of climate change in the oceans. It concludes by highlighting the contributions of the opinion, and possibles perspectives for international law.
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