UN Affirms Climate Responsibility Amid US Opposition
UN votes to affirm responsibility to mitigate climate change, while US votes against

Image: The Hill
The United Nations has passed a resolution affirming that countries must protect their citizens from climate change, with a vote of 141-8. The U.S. was among the countries opposing the measure, arguing it could undermine American energy interests, despite achieving some amendments to the resolution.
- 01The resolution, initiated by Vanuatu, calls for countries to prevent significant climate damage and adhere to climate pledges.
- 02The U.S. was joined by Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen in voting against the resolution.
- 03The vote follows a ruling by the International Court of Justice affirming nations' obligations to protect the environment from emissions.
- 04U.S. officials described the resolution as an attempt to alter international law against American energy interests.
- 05U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres hailed the resolution as a significant step towards climate justice and state responsibility.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The United Nations voted this week to affirm that countries have a responsibility to protect their populations from the impacts of climate change, with a significant majority of 141 votes in favor and only 8 against. The resolution, introduced by Vanuatu, urges nations to take proactive measures to mitigate climate and environmental damage, including managing emissions and adhering to their climate commitments. The U.S. was one of the eight nations opposing the resolution, alongside Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. The U.S. Mission to the U.N. criticized the resolution as an attempt to rewrite international law detrimental to American energy interests, although they noted some amendments were made to lessen its impact. The vote follows a previous ruling by the International Court of Justice, which stated that countries have a legal obligation to protect the environment from harmful emissions. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres praised the resolution, calling it a strong affirmation of international law and the urgent need for states to address the escalating climate crisis.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The resolution emphasizes the need for countries to take climate action, which could influence domestic policies and international cooperation on climate change.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you support the UN's call for countries to take stronger action against climate change?
Connecting to poll...
More about United Nations
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.






