Commissioner welcomes new global UN ruling to reduce climate change

On Wednesday 23 July 2025, the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced a new climate and environment ruling as a ‘victory for our planet.’

The ruling legally binds countries to deliver actions that will cease environmental damage and outlines the consequences of breaching these legal agreements.

Commissioner Chris Quinn shares his views on the ruling and the actions we can take to continue raising our voices about climate change.

Chris said: “I am delighted to hear the UN International Court of Justice ruling that holds every country accountable for its actions to reduce climate change.

“It is incredible that the motivation for the court ruling began due to the tenacity and strength of the youth group, Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change, in 2019.

“Together, students and young people could see all around them the consequences of climate change and called for the need to act and address the effects of environmental breakdown, particularly on small islands. The impact of their voices started a massive global operation leading to the ICJ’s momentous decision on 23 July 2025.

“On our own island in the north Atlantic Ocean, NICCY’s Youth Panel members and policy team has worked for several years on projects and policies that call for Northern Ireland decision makers to adhere to our right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

“NICCY welcomes ICJ’s judgement, which strengthens international law and children’s rights as articulated by UN Committee on the Rights of the Child General Comment 26 that affirms children’s right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment and outlines how states must uphold this right across all areas of environmental action.

“The climate and environment ruling is a testament to young people playing a vital role in reducing climate change. Therefore, I encourage everyone, especially young people, to respond to Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan.

Chris added: “Every voice makes a difference. The DAERA action plan seeks to address all the opportunities we could take as a society to improve our health and the wellbeing of our environment by reducing carbon emissions now and to benefit future generations.”

Take part in the Public Consultation on Northern Ireland’s draft Climate Action Plan 2023-2027 | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs by 8 October.

To find out how you can help support NICCY on climate change issues, please get in touch with participationteam@niccy.org.