Professor Lavanya Rajamani discusses landmark ICJ climate opinion in two leading podcasts

Professor Lavanya Rajamani, Professor of International Environmental Law at the University of Oxford, has shared her insights on the International Court of Justice climate opinion on two prestigious international law podcasts. Professor Rajamani acted as External Counsel for Vanuatu that initiated the process at the UN General Assembly to request the ICJ for an Advisory Opinion on climate change.

In the episode of International Law Chats, released on 4 August 2025, Professor Rajamani joined a distinguished panel discussing the ICJ's Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of climate change. The podcast, produced by the American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA), featured fellow experts Andrew B. Loewenstein (Partner, Foley Hoag), Professor Nilüfer Oral (Director, Centre of International Law, National University of Singapore and member of the UN International Law Commission), and Ambassador Franz Perrez (Head, Directorate of International Law, Swiss Federal Office of Foreign Affairs).

During the ABILA podcast, Professor Rajamani highlighted several groundbreaking aspects of the ICJ opinion, noting that "the Paris Agreement needs to be interpreted in its normative environment" and that "international law is a seamless web of interlocking obligations." She emphasized that "national discretion is not unfettered" and that "the content of states' contributions is fettered by the 1.5° temperature target," representing a significant evolution in how climate agreements are interpreted.

Speaking about the ICJ opinion's significance, she remarked: "This opinion serves as reassurance and reinforces the central importance of international law in addressing global existential challenges." Professor Rajamani also addressed the practical implications of the opinion, noting that while it opens doors for potential state responsibility claims, there remain several operational challenges.

Professor Rajamani also appears in the latest European Journal of International Law (EJIL) podcast on this ICJ Advisory Opinion.  'International law itself was in the dock in this advisory opinion', explains Professor Rajamani. 'At its core, the divergences we saw between states in these proceedings were competing visions of international law'. Professor Rajamani remarks that the ICJ's opinion delivered 'in spades' for vulnerable states, emphasising that it 'underscores the salience and relevance of the entire breadth of international law in addressing civilizational challenges such as climate change'.

The discussion examines the Court's systematic account of climate obligations, including the duty to prevent significant harm to the environment. Professor Rajamani highlights the opinion's significance in addressing both direct and indirect activities that result in greenhouse gas emissions, including 'the production, licensing and subsidizing of fossil fuels'.

The podcast features contributions from Professor Margaret Young of Melbourne Law School, who hosted the episode, and Professor Phoebe Okowa of Queen Mary University of London, who is a member of the International Law Commission. All three academics participated directly in the advisory proceedings, providing unique insights into this historic opinion.

Both podcasts explored how the ICJ opinion clarifies state obligations under the Paris Agreement, the legal consequences of failing to meet these obligations, and the potential for future climate litigation. Professor Rajamani's dual role as both a scholar and practitioner provided listeners with exceptional insights into what has been described by experts as a "monumental" development in international climate law.

For further information and to listen to the episodes, please visit the International Law Chats and EJIL Podcast pages.