Ambassador Sanders Advocates for CARICOM Support on Landmark CCJ Advisory Opinion

Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the OAS, Sir Ron Sanders, has drafted a declaration regarding the CCJ’s latest advisory opinion on carbon emissions.

The Opinion declares unequivocally that all nations “have a duty to prevent environmental harm” by limiting greenhouse‑gas emissions.

The Court affirmed that existing treaties, from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to the Paris Agreement, require science‑based mitigation targets, robust environmental impact assessments, adaptation measures, and financial and technological cooperation with vulnerable countries.

Crucially, it recognized a stable climate as foundational to human rights and held that failure to comply constitutes an “internationally wrongful act,” triggering duties of cessation, guarantees of non‑repetition, and reparations for harm.

The Permanent Mission is seeking the support of all CARICOM Countries for the draft Declaration, which it wishes to submit to the Chair of the Permanent Council by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 25 July, to take advantage of the current momentum.

Read declaration below

Draft declaration on ICJ Advisory Opinon on Climate Change

DRAFT Declaration of Like‑Minded Member States of the Organization of American States