PM Browne re-iterates Calls for Accountability from Top Polluters in Climate Justice Appeal to UN Court

By Aabigayle McIntosh

Prime Minister Gaston continues to advocate for the world’s largest polluters to be held responsible for the impacts of climate change on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Antigua and Barbuda.

He re-iterated such cause while addressing the United Nation’s top court, the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands on Monday.

PM Browne is supporting a case brought by the South Pacific Island Nation, Vanuatu and Co-sponsored by Antigua and Barbuda.

“No participant has disputed that greenhouse emissions are causing and will continue to cause harm to the climate system, to populations globally and to the environment. nor does any participant dispute the conclusion of the global stock take that current efforts are insufficient,” Browne said during his address.

He explained that the principle of prevention, a cornerstone of international law, demands that SIDS take action to prevent harm to others.

However, global emissions continue to rise and as the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius is being crossed, the very existence of SIDS is threatened by the failure of polluting countries to act.

Crown Counsel within the Attorney General’s Chambers Zachary Phillips also added that he views international treaties on climate change such as the 2016 Paris Agreement as purely procedural.

“Many high-emitting states attempt to rely on the climate treaties as a shield to escape accountability. their approach to the Paris agreement would deprive the most vulnerable of any redress,” he said.

The hearings that began Monday, follows a ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on the obligation of states to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

The ongoing oral hearings before the International Court of Justice continue for the next two weeks.