Inter-American Court Affirms Human Right to a Stable Climate
Cornerstone Climate, Planning and Environment
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has issued a groundbreaking Advisory Opinion affirming a human right to a stable climate.
While we await the official English translation (expected next Friday), thanks to an unofficial immediate translation by our friends at the Sabin Centre for Climate Law at Columbia University (with whom we are co-hosting a seminar as part of our ongoing 2025 series on global climate litigation in the autumn), the wide-reaching implications of this bold decision are evident.
The Court’s Opinion confirms that:
- There is a human right to a stable and safe climate.
- Governments are subject to a reinforced due diligence obligation to prevent and mitigate climate risks.
- Nature possesses rights independent of human-centred (anthropocentric) legal frameworks.
The Opinion also legitimises the term climate emergency and outlines its significance for state action and legal obligations.
Although the United States and Canada are not party to the American Convention on Human Rights, this ruling will have substantial implications for countries that are – including Brazil, the host of COP30.
Cornerstone’s Nina Pindham acted in this matter on behalf of the Global Strategic Litigation Council and a coalition of Caribbean civil society groups.
Read the translation here.
Upcoming Webinar: Exploring the Legal Impact of Climate Rulings
This milestone decision will be one of the topics discussed during our upcoming joint webinar with the Grantham Research Institute, which will also explore the equally groundbreaking Lliuya v RWE ruling. Join us on Wednesday 10 July at 6pm for this timely and important discussion.
