At ICJ climate change hearing, global giants and oil nations strike evasive note

Halfway into landmark climate change hearings at the International Court of Justice, the proceedings have turned into what senior attorney Joie Chowdhury described as a David versus Goliath battle.

Led by Vanuatu, a group of small island nations has asked the United Nations court in The Hague to hold the major greenhouse gas-emitting countries accountable for failing to tackle climate change. Hearings started on December 2.

This is the largest case ever before the International Court of Justice. It will involve 110 states and intergovernmental organisations.

However, smaller countries say that the US, Australia, Germany and Saudi Arabia are trying to sweep under the carpet their historical responsibilities to curb fossil fuel emissions. They are also accused of trying to erase the distinction between the duties of these countries that have generated more greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and those of other countries.

The first week’s hearings were marred by anger and disappointment about the statements of some of the world’s greatest polluters – notably the US and China, which reiterated their obligations under existing treaties and commitments that have failed to redress the climate change crisis.

The Earth’s temperature has risen 1.2 degrees celsius since before the industrial revolution. The consequences, scientists say, include melting polar...

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