“ICJ’s Landmark Advisory Opinion on Climate Change,” Law.com International

In an article for Law.com International, Partner James Rogers, Special Counsel Ronan O’Reilly, and Associate Connor Gray, all based in our London office, analyze the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) unanimous advisory opinion clarifying states' obligations under international law to protect the climate system and prevent climate damage.

Read More

The article examines the ICJ's key findings on two critical questions: what obligations states have under international law to protect the climate system from greenhouse gas emissions, and what legal consequences arise when states fail to meet these obligations.

"The opinion makes it clear that states that continue to issue new fossil fuel explorations licences will face the greatest legal exposure," the authors write. They explain how the ICJ rejected the position of many developed states that climate treaties should be the exclusive source of binding climate obligations, confirming instead that all states have duties under customary international law regardless of treaty participation.

The authors highlight the ICJ's confirmation that injured states or individuals are entitled to "full reparation for the damage caused" through restitution or compensation, noting that while calculating climate damages presents challenges, the court "left the door open for awards of compensation on an exceptional basis."

"The opinion is a powerful reminder that climate action is not merely a matter of policy preference but a binding legal obligation under international law," the authors conclude.

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

“ICJ’s Landmark Advisory Opinion on Climate Change,” Law.com International

In an article for Law.com International, Partner James Rogers, Special Counsel Ronan O’Reilly, and Associate Connor Gray, all based in our London office, analyze the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) unanimous advisory opinion clarifying states' obligations under international law to protect the climate system and prevent climate damage.

Read More

The article examines the ICJ's key findings on two critical questions: what obligations states have under international law to protect the climate system from greenhouse gas emissions, and what legal consequences arise when states fail to meet these obligations.

"The opinion makes it clear that states that continue to issue new fossil fuel explorations licences will face the greatest legal exposure," the authors write. They explain how the ICJ rejected the position of many developed states that climate treaties should be the exclusive source of binding climate obligations, confirming instead that all states have duties under customary international law regardless of treaty participation.

The authors highlight the ICJ's confirmation that injured states or individuals are entitled to "full reparation for the damage caused" through restitution or compensation, noting that while calculating climate damages presents challenges, the court "left the door open for awards of compensation on an exceptional basis."

"The opinion is a powerful reminder that climate action is not merely a matter of policy preference but a binding legal obligation under international law," the authors conclude.

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

News and Insights

Event

Amanda Shafer Berman to Speak on Energy and Administrative Law at WEN-DC Webinar

As the Supreme Court's new Term begins, Jenner & Block Partner Amanda Shafer Berman will join a Women's Energy Network of Washington, DC (WEN-DC) webinar on how the Court's decisions are shaping the energy sector.

October 14, 2026

Publications

Partner Amanda Shafer Berman Quoted in Bloomberg Law on Senate Permitting Overhaul Bill

Partner Amanda Shafer Berman was quoted in an October 5 Bloomberg Law article, "Permitting Deal Gives Projects Defense Against Litigation Delays," on the Senate's new permitting overhaul package and its expected impact on litigation over federal permitting reversals.

October 2026

Event

Partner John Storino to Speak at Sandpiper Partners' “AI and Outside Counsel Guidelines Roundtable”

On October 8, Partner John Storino will serve as a panelist at the “AI and Outside Counsel Guidelines Roundtable,” hosted by Sandpiper Partners in Chicago.

October 8, 2026

Event

Partner Meghan Greenfield to Speak on Supreme Court Climate Case at Edison Electric Institute's Fall Legal Conference

On Wednesday, October 7, Partner Meghan Greenfield will speak on a panel titled "Boulder County v. Suncor Energy: What the Supreme Court's Climate Case Means for the Energy Industry" at the Edison Electric Institute's Fall Legal Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

October 7, 2026

Publications

The Form Rules Everything: A Seventh Circuit Ruling on ERISA's Substantial Compliance Doctrine

Partner Joseph Torres and Special Counsel Jennifer Beach authored an article for Employee Relations Law Journal examining the Seventh Circuit's decision in Packaging Corp. of America Thrift Plan for Hourly Employees v. Langdon, a ruling that addresses both the standard of review in ERISA interpleader actions and the continued viability of the substantial compliance doctrine for changing plan beneficiaries.

October 5, 2026