In response to the United States’ statement on countries' climate change obligations at the International Court of Justice, Ashfaq Khalfan, Oxfam America’s Climate Justice Director said:
“It is absurd for the Biden administration to argue before the ICJ that countries do not have clear legal obligations to reduce carbon pollution, especially as it prepares to turn over the executive office to a proven climate denier like President-elect Trump, whose policies are likely to deeply harm US climate action. We are disappointed that the administration is taking such a morally bankrupt position before the world’s highest court.
“This opposition to strong international law on climate justice categorically undermines the Biden administration’s climate legacy. In its statement to the ICJ, the Biden administration is essentially calling for a more unequal world in which governments have a free pass to cause harm to people outside their borders, and ignore the right to a healthy environment. Instead of sidelining international law on human rights and the environment, President Biden should recognize that governments, particularly rich countries who are most responsible, have a duty to help protect the people around the world most affected by the climate crisis.
“The US has today denied any firm obligation to reduce carbon pollution to safer levels, phase out fossil fuel production, or provide funding to lower-income countries to help with renewable energy and protection from climate harms. Governments have failed to do what is necessary to protect humanity from the climate crisis, and it is essential that the ICJ holds them to account by pushing them towards concrete action to ensure climate justice.”
Oxfam is a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. We offer lifesaving support in times of crisis and advocate for economic justice, gender equality, and climate action. We demand equal rights and equal treatment so that everyone can thrive, not just survive. The future is equal. Join us at oxfamamerica.org.
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Notes to editors:
Oxfam has been supporting the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change’s lawsuit since 2022, joining in advocacy for the UN General Assembly to refer the case to the Court.
Oxfam America organized a US civil society organization letter to the Biden administration asking it to support the UN General Assembly resolution to refer the case to the ICJ.
Oxfam provided a written statement to the ICJ in March of this year on human rights obligations beyond borders and what this means for climate action. We also contributed to an expert legal opinion, the Maastricht Principles on the Human Rights of Future Generations.