Prof Paparinskis appears in International Court of Justice advisory proceedings on climate change

Professor Martins Paparinskis (Professor of Public International Law at UCL Laws) appeared before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the oral phase of the advisory proceedings on Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change in December 2024.

The United Nations General Assembly posed, in resolution 77/276 of 29 March 2023, questions to the ICJ concerning obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases for States and for present and future generations, and the legal consequences under these obligations for States where they, by their acts and omissions, had caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment. The particular importance of the topic for the international community is reflected in the highest ever participation rate in the written phase of advisory proceedings by States and international organizations, with 91 written statements and 62 written comments.

The oral proceedings in Obligations of States took place from 2 to 13 December, with 96 States and 11 international organizations presenting oral statements. Professor Paparinskis appeared on behalf of Latvia, addressing the obligations of States in respect of climate change under the climate change regime, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, duty of due diligence and the principle of prevention of significant harm to the environment, and international human rights law (CR 2024/44 11-22; UN Web Tv 9:30-31:45).

Several UCL Laws alumni appeared in Obligations of States, highlighting the Faculty’s strengths in public international law teaching and research:

• for Antigua and Barbuda, J’Moul A Francis, Legal Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs; 
• for Ecuador, Hernán Escudero Álvarez, member of the Ecuadorean Bar;
• for Jamaica, André Coore, Legal Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade;
• for Latvia, Dr Joseph Crampin, Lecturer of International Law, University of Glasgow.

Image: Professor Paparinskis (left) and André Coore.

Image credits for first three photos: UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek. Courtesy of the ICJ.