ICJ Faces Climate Crisis: Pacific Churches Amplify Lived Science

Island Nations’ ‘Stories’ Urged as Legal Foundation

The International Court of Justice is poised to address humanity’s gravest challenge—the climate crisis—as Pacific church leaders emphasize that the profound experiences of island communities are the very science the court must now codify into law.

A Moral Imperative

Reverend **James Bhagwan**, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, stated that the impending advisory opinion from the ICJ represents a pivotal moment. He highlighted that this ruling arrives precisely 21 years after the “sunrise” declaration, a call to global action and solidarity from Pacific churches.

Embodying Compassion and Justice

Reverend **Bhagwan** referenced the 2024 Tuākoi ‘Lei Declaration by Pacific Churches, which calls for believers to act as compassionate neighbors, mirroring the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan. This stance extends to protecting creation from the destructive forces of fossil-fuel driven avarice.

“As neighbours we stand with creation itself, refusing to let fossil-fuelled greed drive God’s good earth back into chaos, embody neighbourly love, compassion and hope, turning the tide toward ecological justice, speak truth to power, holding industrialised nations accountable for harms we did not cause, yet suffer daily.”

—Reverend James Bhagwan, General Secretary Pacific Conference of Churches

He expressed hope that the court will affirm a clear duty of care, encompassing the prevention of harm, safeguarding of rights, and remediation of damage, mirroring the tangible realities faced by vulnerable populations. Globally, climate-related disasters have displaced over 26 million people annually in recent years. (IDMC 2023)

A Roadmap for Change

Following the Tuākoi ‘Lei roadmap, Pacific churches are committed to prioritizing ecological well-being over profit and decolonizing their development paradigms. Their advocacy includes pushing for an immediate and equitable transition away from fossil fuels and the criminalization of ecocide.

Regardless of the court’s decision, Reverend **Bhagwan** affirmed the enduring mandate for churches: “Go and do likewise.”