Vanuatu and the International Court Case for Climate Justice
The Challenge
For decades, Pacific Island nations like Vanuatu have been on the frontlines of the climate crisis, facing increasingly severe cyclones, rising sea levels and land degradation. These impacts have displaced entire communities, devastated local economies and eroded livelihoods, all while these nations account for only 0.02% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Our Approach
Vanuatu was the lead plaintiff pursuing an opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the climate change obligations of polluting countries. Burness supported the legal efforts with a global promotion in the court of public opinion, amplifying the voices of the plaintiff’s legal team, youth activists, civil society and outside experts on the importance of climate justice.
Results and Impact
Our efforts garnered media coverage in top-tier outlets around the world, highlighting the voices of Pacific Islanders themselves — including the youth leaders who helped launch the initial campaign for the ICJ opinion. Burness helped ensure that the landmark legal case — which ruled in favor of the plaintiffs — captured international attention and established a powerful new reference point for addressing the existential threat of climate change.