The 10th anniversary of the Paris climate treaty is marked by a groundbreaking ICJ ruling, giving it unprecedented legal enforceability. This, combined with the historic fight for the 1.5°C target and a booming renewables revolution, signals significant, though still insufficient, progress in the global climate fight.
The article commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Paris climate treaty, initially reflecting on the lack of sufficient action but pivoting to recent breakthroughs. A pivotal July 23rd International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling has endowed the Paris Agreement with unprecedented legal enforceability. This 'epochal' decision declares a legal obligation for all nations to act on the climate crisis and regulate businesses' emissions, regardless of where harm occurs. It also establishes the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as fundamental to all human rights, emphasizing intergenerational equity. This landmark case originated from 27 law students in the University of the South Pacific, with Vanuatu leading as the plaintiff, challenging the status quo. The article also highlights the crucial battle during the Paris negotiations, led by vulnerable Global South nations, to set the global temperature rise target at 1.5°C instead of the initially proposed 2°C. This '1.5 to stay alive' advocacy influenced subsequent IPCC reports and shaped national climate policies, including ambitious US legislation. Furthermore, the piece celebrates the 'renewables revolution,' noting how solar and wind power costs have plummeted, surpassing predictions and leading to a projected stagnation and decline in fossil fuel power by 2025. Examples include California often generating over 100% of its daytime electricity from renewables and China's CO2 emissions flattening due to its rapid transition. While acknowledging that global efforts are still far from enough, the article concludes that these achievements have successfully 'bent the curve' of projected warming from 4°C to 2.5°C, emphasizing that while it may be too late to save everything, it's never too late to save something.
