The ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: Perspectives from US and International Law
Featuring:
· Professor Ileana Porras, Senior Lecturer, University of Miami School of Law
· Professor Thomas O. McGarity, William Powers, Jr. and Kim L. Heilbrun Chair in Tort Law, University of Texas School of Law
· Professor Karen Engle, Minerva House Drysdale Regents Chair in Law and Co-Director Rapoport Center, University of Texas School of Law
On July 23, 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a unanimous landmark advisory opinion on the “Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change”—an explicit elaboration of states’ responsibilities under international law to mitigate, adapt to, and repair the effects of the climate crisis. Join the Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice and the Sissy Farenthold Fund for Peace and Social Justice for a discussion of this opinion with Professor Ileana Porras (University of Miami School of Law) and Professor Thomas O. McGarity (University of Texas School of Law).
These experts will contextualize the ICJ advisory opinion within domestic and international environmental law and policy. They will also discuss the role of students (from the University of the South Pacific in Vanuatu) in advocating for the UN General Assembly to request the opinion from the ICJ. The conversation will be moderated by Professor Karen Engle (University of Texas School of Law).