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Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu On UN Ocean Conference

Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu On UN Ocean Conference

Scoop10 hours ago

Press Release – Government of Vanuatu
Nice Action Plan comes ahead of anticipated ruling from International Court of Justice that could set path for climate action linked to accountability
'It is time to move beyond voluntary pledges to making climate action a binding legal duty.'
Statement from Ralph Regenvanu,
Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management for the Republic of Vanuatu
NICE, FRANCE (9 June 2025)
'At this UN Ocean Conference, the stakes could not be clearer.
'Vanuatu's contributions to climate change are minimal, yet we — and our neighbours — suffer severe repeated climate impacts that devastate our economy and people. We are living through the collapse of ocean stability and witnessing a dangerous acceleration in sea-level rise and ocean temperatures. Our oceans are increasingly hostile even to the very creatures that live in them. The consequences of this will ripple through the entire food chain, hitting vulnerable countries like Vanuatu the hardest and ultimately affecting all of humanity and future generations. The role of our ocean as our greatest carbon sink is being threatened.
'The Nice Ocean Action Plan aligns with the standards set by the landmark International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Advisory Opinion delivered in May 2024, which made it clear: greenhouse gas emissions are marine pollution. And under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, all States are legally bound to prevent, reduce, and control them. This obligation extends not only to domestic emissions but to global ones as well.
'Even so, plans like these are voluntary. Promises without enforcement. Declarations without duty.
'Protecting the ocean from climate change should not be a matter of choice. We need concrete mechanisms and independent monitoring to ensure that nations uphold their legal responsibilities. Conferences like this one, and the upcoming COP30, must not leave frontline nations feeling that nothing is changing — despite the overwhelming urgency.
'It is time to move beyond voluntary pledges to making climate action a binding legal duty.' Climate action must be grounded in a robust framework of legal principles: human rights, the right to self-determination, the duty to prevent harm, precautionary approaches, intergenerational equity, and obligations enshrined in key international treaties — from the Biodiversity Convention to the UNFCCC to the Law of the Sea.
'That's why we eagerly await the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on the broader climate obligations of nations, in hopes of a strong ruling supporting global accountability for the climate crisis and enforceable climate action.
'It's time for States to catch up with the law, with the science, and with the urgency of this moment.'

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Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu On UN Ocean Conference
Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu On UN Ocean Conference

Scoop

time10 hours ago

  • Scoop

Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu On UN Ocean Conference

Press Release – Government of Vanuatu Nice Action Plan comes ahead of anticipated ruling from International Court of Justice that could set path for climate action linked to accountability 'It is time to move beyond voluntary pledges to making climate action a binding legal duty.' Statement from Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management for the Republic of Vanuatu NICE, FRANCE (9 June 2025) 'At this UN Ocean Conference, the stakes could not be clearer. 'Vanuatu's contributions to climate change are minimal, yet we — and our neighbours — suffer severe repeated climate impacts that devastate our economy and people. We are living through the collapse of ocean stability and witnessing a dangerous acceleration in sea-level rise and ocean temperatures. Our oceans are increasingly hostile even to the very creatures that live in them. The consequences of this will ripple through the entire food chain, hitting vulnerable countries like Vanuatu the hardest and ultimately affecting all of humanity and future generations. The role of our ocean as our greatest carbon sink is being threatened. 'The Nice Ocean Action Plan aligns with the standards set by the landmark International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Advisory Opinion delivered in May 2024, which made it clear: greenhouse gas emissions are marine pollution. And under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, all States are legally bound to prevent, reduce, and control them. This obligation extends not only to domestic emissions but to global ones as well. 'Even so, plans like these are voluntary. Promises without enforcement. Declarations without duty. 'Protecting the ocean from climate change should not be a matter of choice. We need concrete mechanisms and independent monitoring to ensure that nations uphold their legal responsibilities. Conferences like this one, and the upcoming COP30, must not leave frontline nations feeling that nothing is changing — despite the overwhelming urgency. 'It is time to move beyond voluntary pledges to making climate action a binding legal duty.' Climate action must be grounded in a robust framework of legal principles: human rights, the right to self-determination, the duty to prevent harm, precautionary approaches, intergenerational equity, and obligations enshrined in key international treaties — from the Biodiversity Convention to the UNFCCC to the Law of the Sea. 'That's why we eagerly await the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on the broader climate obligations of nations, in hopes of a strong ruling supporting global accountability for the climate crisis and enforceable climate action. 'It's time for States to catch up with the law, with the science, and with the urgency of this moment.'

Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu On UN Ocean Conference
Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu On UN Ocean Conference

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time11 hours ago

  • Scoop

Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu On UN Ocean Conference

Government of Vanuatu - Latest News [Page 1] Nice Action Plan comes ahead of anticipated ruling from International Court of Justice that could set path for climate action linked to accountability More >> At The ICJ, The Global South Has Presented A World Of Climate Change Impacts & A Dire Need For Climate Justice Friday, 13 December 2024, 9:29 pm | Government of Vanuatu Statement after statement makes the case that destruction of the climate system is unlawful and big polluters must be held accountable. More >> Vanuatu Statement On The Remarks Of US And Australia At Landmark ICJ Climate Case Thursday, 5 December 2024, 9:06 pm | Government of Vanuatu Statement after statement makes the case that destruction of the climate system is unlawful and big polluters must be held accountable. More >> Vanuatu Statement On UN Climate Change Agreement: 'It's Not Enough. It Was Never Going To Be Enough.' Sunday, 24 November 2024, 2:51 pm | Government of Vanuatu With COP29's conclusion, the stage shifts to the Hague, where Vanuatu's landmark ICJ climate change case—110 UN member states and intergovernmental organisations testifying—will start on 2 December. More >> Ahead Of COP29, Landmark ICJ Climate Case Looms, With Vanuatu As First Country Speaking Monday, 11 November 2024, 5:41 am | Government of Vanuatu In schedule change, Vanuatu's testimony will now open landmark ICJ climate change case as 110 UN member states and intergovernmental organisations make their case in The Hague, starting 2 December. More >>

Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu On UN Ocean Conference
Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu On UN Ocean Conference

Scoop

time15 hours ago

  • Scoop

Vanuatu Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu On UN Ocean Conference

'It is time to move beyond voluntary pledges to making climate action a binding legal duty.' Statement from Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management for the Republic of Vanuatu NICE, FRANCE (9 June 2025) 'At this UN Ocean Conference, the stakes could not be clearer. 'Vanuatu's contributions to climate change are minimal, yet we — and our neighbours — suffer severe repeated climate impacts that devastate our economy and people. We are living through the collapse of ocean stability and witnessing a dangerous acceleration in sea-level rise and ocean temperatures. Our oceans are increasingly hostile even to the very creatures that live in them. The consequences of this will ripple through the entire food chain, hitting vulnerable countries like Vanuatu the hardest and ultimately affecting all of humanity and future generations. The role of our ocean as our greatest carbon sink is being threatened. 'The Nice Ocean Action Plan aligns with the standards set by the landmark International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Advisory Opinion delivered in May 2024, which made it clear: greenhouse gas emissions are marine pollution. And under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, all States are legally bound to prevent, reduce, and control them. This obligation extends not only to domestic emissions but to global ones as well. 'Even so, plans like these are voluntary. Promises without enforcement. Declarations without duty. 'Protecting the ocean from climate change should not be a matter of choice. We need concrete mechanisms and independent monitoring to ensure that nations uphold their legal responsibilities. Conferences like this one, and the upcoming COP30, must not leave frontline nations feeling that nothing is changing — despite the overwhelming urgency. 'It is time to move beyond voluntary pledges to making climate action a binding legal duty.' Climate action must be grounded in a robust framework of legal principles: human rights, the right to self-determination, the duty to prevent harm, precautionary approaches, intergenerational equity, and obligations enshrined in key international treaties — from the Biodiversity Convention to the UNFCCC to the Law of the Sea. 'That's why we eagerly await the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on the broader climate obligations of nations, in hopes of a strong ruling supporting global accountability for the climate crisis and enforceable climate action. 'It's time for States to catch up with the law, with the science, and with the urgency of this moment.'

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