The International Court of Justice delivered a landmark ruling requiring countries to reduce emissions below 1.5 degrees of warming. This decision rejects arguments made by Australia and other high-emitting nations justifying fossil fuel extraction. Countries that fail to comply may face penalties, including monetary compensation or infrastructure restoration responsibilities. The ruling specifically targets the fossil fuel industry and establishes potential international accountability. This has significant implications for Australia, especially as it prepares to host COP31 and revise its emissions reduction targets, pressuring the government to take more ambitious climate action.
The world's top court resoundingly rejected conservative arguments made by Australia and other high-emitting countries seeking to justify continued fossil fuel extraction.
Under international law, countries are now bound to rapidly reduce their emissions below 1.5 degrees of warming, with potential implications for monetary compensation and infrastructure rebuilding.
The court's decision specifically targeted the fossil fuel industry, holding that failure to protect the environment from greenhouse gases may now be punishable under international law.
Australia must now consider changing its legislation and policies to quickly reduce emissions as it prepares to host COP31 and update its emissions reduction target.
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