00:00The United Nations General Assembly has voted to support the World Court's landmark ruling
00:05saying countries have a legal obligation to address climate change.
00:09UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the vote underscores that governments are responsible
00:15for protecting citizens from the escalating climate crisis.
00:19The US, which is the world's largest historical emitter, was among a small group that opposed it.
00:30The resolution, tabled by the Pacific island Banuatu, backs a 2025 advisory opinion by the
00:36International Court of Justice that calls on countries to reduce fossil fuel use
00:40and take action to limit global warming.
00:43While not legally binding, the court's opinion is already being used in climate cases around the world.
00:49A total of 141 countries voted in favour of the resolution, while 28 abstained.
00:54The US joined Saudi Arabia, Russia, Israel, Iran, Yemen, Liberia and Belarus in opposing the resolution.
01:03The Trump administration has removed the US from the Paris Climate Agreement and other
01:08major environmental accords, and has pursued policies to boost fossil fuel production.
Comments