World's Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ)

?? Pleading for Human Rights and Climate Justice: Reflections on the climate hearings before the International Court of Justice 12 March 3 - 4:30 PM UTC: https://lnkd.in/eetjA6F5 13 March 7:30 - 9 AM UTC: https://lnkd.in/e7jRX2rj A pivotal moment in the fight for climate justice! A campaign that originally started with 27 law students from The University of the South Pacific has culminated in the biggest climate case at the World’s Highest Court: advisory proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on State obligations in the context of climate change. From 2 to 13 December 2024, 96 States and 11 international organisations had the opportunity to plead before the Court in The Hague and present their arguments on States’ climate obligations under international law and human rights. This level of participation in ICJ oral hearings marks an unprecedented moment in history. The release of the advisory opinion from the Court has the potential to become a vital tool in the fight for climate justice and a sustainable future, to hold States accountable for failing to uphold their obligations under international law, and to protect and guarantee fundamental human rights and the rights of those most affected by this crisis, including Small Island Developing States and future generations. While the Court is deliberating, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), World's Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ), and Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) are hosting a webinar to discuss and reflect on the arguments presented during the hearings. Looking ahead at the forthcoming delivery of the advisory opinion, speakers will also consider ideal outcomes and accountability pathways forward for after the delivery. This will present a unique opportunity for the audience to hear directly from diplomats and legal counsel who have been tirelessly working on this case, as well as from civil society and the youth who have been driving the campaign for the advisory opinion. The webinar will be held twice, with the West Call taking place from 3 - 4:30 PM UTC on the 12th of March, and the East Call taking place from 7:30 - 9 AM UTC on the 13th of March. The webinars' speakers are legal experts, many of whom have been directly involved in the ICJ advisory proceedings. The full list of speakers will be announced at a later moment. Register now: West call: https://lnkd.in/eetjA6F5 East call: https://lnkd.in/e7jRX2rj

?? A call to Council of Europe Member States: we cannot wait any longer to legally recognise the right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll in the European human rights framework! The triple planetary crisis of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and pollution is an escalating human rights crisis and requires urgent action. As the Council of Europe’s members meet for the second time in the Committee of Ministers' Rapporteur Group on Human Rights on 25 February, we, once again, call on States to finally turn their words into action. World's Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ) is one of the 500+ civil society and Indigenous Peoples organisations & 200+ academics across Europe that have joined their voices in calling for an additional protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights dedicated to the right to a healthy environment. Under a legally binding Protocol, the protection of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment would send a powerful message both at the national and international level, demonstrating and reaffirming the Council of Europe Member States’ commitment to addressing the planetary crisis. The ball is in States’ court to stand up for the rights and future of their citizens. Join us and others in our call on them to protect lives and the environment by endorsing the letter (https://lnkd.in/ewkdtY6p) and sharing this message with others.

Last week, the Swedish Supreme Court has for the first time ever made a decision regarding a climate case! Aurora, a youth-led organisation consisting of hundreds of Swedish youth and a Friend of the Initiative of WYCJ, filed a lawsuit against the Swedish State for its insufficient climate measures. Last Wednesday, the Swedish Supreme Court delivered the decision that the legal case will not be tried in the Swedish legal order, but the Court does not rule out that a similar climate case can be tried in the future.?The Supreme Court states that it cannot decide that Parliament or the government should take specific actions without the democratic bodies deciding independently on those issues, but a different case that concerns the question of whether individuals' rights under the convention have been violated could be heard. Access to justice is a crucial part of democracy and important for the possibility of holding people in power accountable for broken climate policies. Aurora is set to continue their fight for climate justice and Aurora's legal team is now looking at the next steps. We wish them all support and hope that the advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice can help those who go to court for the protection of human rights and the environment. Visit https://lnkd.in/eCW2Qfnf to learn more about the case and to learn how you can help, and follow World's Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ) for more climate litigation updates. All photographs are taken by Albin Haglund and owned by Aurora. #AOLetsGO #ICJAO #ICJAO4Climate #ClimateJusticeAtTheICJ #ClimateChange #OurFutureOurRights #ClimateJustice #ICJ #FutureGenerations

Most Caribbean States that participated in the #climateICJ hearings on states' obligations in respect of climate change were presenting submissions before the ICJ for the first time. While awaiting the advisory opinion, Justin Sobion, Counsel for Grenada & Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, reflects on challenges they faced ?? https://lnkd.in/gHjh76tG #climateICJAO

?? ?? Many upcoming fascinating webinars on human rights and the environment in the coming weeks, including: ?? ???? ?? Exploring the Future of Climate Litigation, by the UKELA - UK Environmental Law Association, ?? February 24th ?? ?? ???? Climate Rights of Children in Europe, by the Association Justice & Environment, ?? February 25th ?? ?? ?? Inclusive Resilience: Gender Lens to Climate Change, EU Eastern Partnership CSOs Initiative, ?? February 26th ??? ?? ?? Pleading for Human Rights and Climate Justice: Reflections on the hearings on climate obligations before the International Court of Justice by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change and World's Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ), Western Timezones: ?? March 12th and Eastern time zones: ?? March 13th ?? ?? No Future for Future Generations: Who is International Environmental Law for? by the Goldsmiths, University of London Law Department, featuring the amazing @Emily Jones March 19th ?? All the links to these webinars (and more) in the collaborative listing: https://lnkd.in/emRd8gh7 ?? Add more webinars to the list in just a few clicks: https://lnkd.in/eBUpUVqK

Join WYCJ's Legal Blog team and apply by 23 February! World's Youth for Climate Justice is looking for young lawyers or law students to join the Editorial Team of its Legal Blog! This is your chance to acquire valuable experience, learn about climate justice and litigation, join an international team of young climate lawyers and activists, and help shape the future of our Legal Blog! We are looking for Content and Copy Editors. Content Editors work with the writers to refine and develop content, while Copy Editors ensure the blogs are grammatically correct and sound style-wise. The editors will join the current editorial team on a voluntary basis, and the work is flexible and can be scheduled to your needs. Do you have a degree in law or are you in at least the third year of your degree in law? Do you have excellent English language skills? And do you have knowledge of, and experience with, public international law, human rights, and climate justice? Then you are the person we are looking for! Apply by sending your CV and a brief statement of intent/letter of motivation (300 words max) to [email protected] by 23 February. For more information: https://lnkd.in/eu_9UVh2 #AOLetsGO #ICJAO #ICJAO4Climate #ClimateJusticeAtTheICJ #ClimateChange #OurFutureOurRights #ClimateJustice #ICJ #FutureGenerations #Blog

The average temperature of our Earth in 2024 was the hottest ever recorded. Climate change is having a major impact on people’s daily lives across the world and it’s never been more clear than in the last year. ?? The 1,5°C goal set with the Paris Agreement in 2015, a limit we were meant to stay under until at least the end of the century, was passed for the first time. ?? The 1,5°C marker is an important goal because any higher rise of the global temperature can be catastrophical. There is already an increase visible in natural disasters such as hurricanes, droughts and wildfires. The importance of the Paris Agreement and the need for climate action has never been clearer! ?? Read more on the Paris Agreement, plans for climate action and more on this page soon! #AOLetsGO #ICJAO #ICJAO4Climate #ClimateJusticeAtTheICJ #ClimateChange #OurFutureOurRights #ClimateJustice #ICJ #FutureGenerations #ParisAccord #ParisAgreement

We call on world leaders to denounce President Trump’s unlawful proposal to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza. Such actions are in clear violation of international law, amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes through ethnic cleansing and forced deportation. Since returning to office, Trump has undermined global health, safety, and security by withdrawing from the Human Rights Council, the World Health Organization, and the Paris Agreement and attempting to defund and shutter USAID. These moves deepen US isolationism and reject multilateralism at a time when escalating planetary crises and conflicts demand greater international cooperation and a renewed commitment to upholding legal obligations and fundamental principles of international law and justice. No leader is above the law. We call on states and leaders to denounce these dangerous and unlawful acts, which push the bounds of the law and the limits of executive power. CIEL will unite and resist in solidarity with communities across the world fighting early signs of imperial darkness. #Gaza #HumanRights

Thank you for asking if the design was available in English! Here it is. ???? Recognizing the right to a healthy environment as binding under international law would constitute an important step forward for humanity. This would favor the protection of the rights of present and future generations that face the threat of the triple planetary crisis. You can read my contribution to the CIJ conversation on the International Institute for Sustainable Development website: https://lnkd.in/g3_jaRhP

Join us for an insightful upcoming webinar designed to enhance your knowledge on the different global youth movements! This engaging session will take place on the 5th of February, at 5pm CET, featuring remarkable speakers who will share valuable insights, practical tips on engagement with other global youth, and answer your burning questions . Don’t miss out on the opportunity and connect with fellow participants too. Register now! https://lnkd.in/d4BjsFdv . See you there! #youthforecocidelaw #ecocidelaw #youthmovement #garnyouthhub #wycj #knowledge #webinar