Historic Advisory Opinion by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on the Climate Emergency

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has issued a historic advisory opinion on the climate emergency. Margherita Cornaglia acted for five Latin American NGOs in their amicus curiae submission, which highlighted the human rights impacts of climate change, particularly in relation to short-lived climate pollutants such as methane.

The Court's advisory opinion incorporates several key points from the amicus brief, stressing that climate mitigation strategies must include measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from sectors such as fossil fuels, agriculture, livestock, deforestation, and land use. It further underscores the importance of international agreements like the Montreal Protocol and the Global Methane Commitment, recognizing them as models for international cooperation and emphasizing the urgency of global action to address the climate crisis.

In its opinion, the Court also acknowledged the necessity for states to regulate emissions both within their borders and across their global supply chains, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive climate adaptation plans that protect the most vulnerable communities, including Indigenous peoples.

The full amicus curiae brief is accessible here.

The Court’s advisory opinion is accessible here.