Last Updated on May 26, 2024, 12:56 PM AST by Anthony Morris
Nine Small Island nations, who have been fighting against the climate crisis for several decades, have attained a historic win. They have won a historic case of climate change at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
The nine nations who were fighting for the cause of marine environment protection include St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Niue, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu,
The Tribunal has directed all signatories to a United Nations treaty on marine activities to make more efforts to protect the world’s oceans from climate change. The Marine environment of the world has been affected severely by pollutants which has threatened the existence of several Small Islands.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea’s responsibilities was signed in 1994 by 169 nations. The convention urged the countries to protect the marine environment from pollutants. These pollutants include oil from the ships.
However, the recent ruling of the Tribunal suggests that the signatories must also protect the marine environment from greenhouse Gas Emissions. The oceans court has acknowledged that the greenhouse gas emissions also harm the environment of the nation.
The decision of the ITLOS is being considered as a major win for the small island nations across the globe. The oceans are being affected adversely by the climate crisis, resulting in hotter oceans, rising sea levels and other issues.
Accordingly, the nine small island nations represented by the The Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and Interational Law (COSIS) took the case to court. The COSIS went on to share that this is a major victory for climate crisis in the country.
They asserted that the court has made history by delivering this directive in the interest of climate action and marine protection. The court has asserted that it is the responsibility of all the signatories to do more for the protection of the marine environment.
The nine island nations have asked the Tribunal to clarify what was considered marine pollution under the convention. These nations have been fighting for the cause of climate change in the world for several decades.
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, one of the nine small island nations, Gaston Browne reflected on the seriousness of the situation. He asserted that the small island nations are fighting for their survival.
He asserted that the actions of the big pollutors are having a severe impact on the Small Island nations. He added that some of these nations will become inhabitable due to greenhouse gases.
In line with this fact, the Prime Minister has asked the responsible nations to follow the international laws.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
