Osman Tolo Sesay
Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Government of Sierra Leone has officially welcomed the recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of states in addressing climate change. Issued on 23 July 2025, the opinion was unanimously adopted and provides a legal interpretation of the responsibilities of nations under international law to combat climate change.
The advisory opinion was requested by the United Nations General Assembly following an initiative led by the Republic of Vanuatu, with support from a coalition of states including Sierra Leone. It offers legal clarity on the duties of states to protect the global climate system and safeguard the environment for present and future generations.
According to the ICJ, states are under binding legal obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The Court’s interpretation is grounded in international environmental law, human rights law, and the law of the sea, and must be guided by the best available scientific evidence.
The Government of Sierra Leone highlighted its vulnerability to climate change impacts, such as sea-level rise, erosion, loss of biodiversity, and food insecurity. Despite being among the countries least responsible for global emissions, Sierra Leone emphasized its proactive role in supporting the ICJ initiative. Scientific projections indicate that at least 26.4 square kilometers of the nation’s coastline could be submerged by 2050 without urgent mitigation efforts.
In response, Sierra Leone has implemented national adaptation and mitigation strategies. The government stressed the need for global climate obligations to be applied equitably, urging developed countries who are historically more responsible for emissions to provide support to developing nations through financing, technology transfer, and capacity building.
The country also supported the ICJ’s position that states must regulate the activities of private entities contributing to environmental harm, highlighting the need for sustainable investment and development practices.
Sierra Leone’s participation in the ICJ process was led by the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, with Attorney-General Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley serving as Agent. Legal representation was provided by Professor Dr. Charles C. Jalloh of the University of Miami Law School, with support from civil society organizations including the Open Society Justice Initiative and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
The government reiterated its commitment to working with partners across Africa, the Global South, and the wider international community to ensure the effective and fair implementation of the ICJ’s advisory opinion.
Source: Sierraloaded
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