Australia’s support to Pacific surges as China focuses on ‘friendly’ states, aid map shows
GuardianAUG 2023
While the Commission and environmental advocacy groups are celebrating this ruling as a historic victory, the reality is that this court opinion is not legally binding, and at least in the short term, nothing much will change. One court ruling specifying carbon emissions as a marine pollutant doesn't do much unless the polluters are held accountable.
This ruling is an important first step in protecting the oceans from carbon emissions. This ruling has real material consequences for the people living on island nations vulnerable to climate change, and this is just one of several cases being pursued in a monumental fight for survival. This case will very likely set a precedent for similar cases in the future.