Climate Crisis: ICJ Opinion and Finance to Dominate COP30 Talks
The upcoming COP30 climate conference in November is expected to intensify pressure on nations to raise their climate ambitions. This follows the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion in July, which outlined the clear obligations of states concerning the global climate crisis.
Finance discussions will also be central to the agenda as representatives convene in Belém, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November. The talks aim to strengthen commitments, clarify accountability, and mobilize funding for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
“I expect to see much more around state responsibility and liability following the ICJ opinion, and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights opinion, which looks very specifically at corporate responsibility,” said Lisa DeMarco, COP veteran and CEO of law firm Resilient.
She emphasized that greater state accountability will be a key issue, though practical implementation and enforcement remain complex challenges.
The ICJ opinion will likely drive the COP process through its focus on response measures and adaptation workstreams, highlighted by COP President André Corrêa do Lago, who stressed strengthening state responsibilities.
As the event has been dubbed “the climate adaptation COP,” Clara Pacce Pinto Serva, Vice-Chair of the IBA Business Human Rights Committee, noted that the conference is expected to chart a course addressing both the climate emergency and its human impacts.
Author’s Summary
The ICJ’s guidance on climate duties and the urgent need for financial commitments are set to shape COP30 in Brazil, making it a pivotal summit for state accountability and global adaptation strategies.