Doha: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) Wednesday deemed climate change a grave and existential threat, issuing its first advisory opinion on states' legal obligations regarding climate change mitigation.

According to Qatar News Agency, Presiding Judge Yuji Iwasawa of Japan, head of the court, which is the highest judicial body of the United Nations, read excerpts from an expert report on climate change, stating that the Court found that the consequences of climate change are severe and far-reaching, causing damage to both natural ecosystems and human populations.

Judge Iwasawa emphasized that these consequences highlight the existential danger that climate change poses. He affirmed that states have strict duties to protect climate systems, explaining that as for the duty to avoid causing significant harm to the environment, the Court considers this duty applies equally to the climate system, which is an integral and essential element of the environment and must be safeguarded for present and future generations.

He further stated that the repercussions of global warming will have an impact on human rights as well, stressing that they could severely hinder the enjoyment of certain rights, including the right to life. This case was initiated in 2019 by students from the small Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu and was brought before the ICJ following a vote by the United Nations General Assembly.