The Pacific won a landmark climate case at the world’s top court. Now they want countries to act.

declaration — the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples — but through a series of legal settlements with the Crown of England. The Crown, however, retained sovereignty. As a result, Māori youth have been pushing for more autonomy in climate governance, arguing that their ancestral knowledge should be respected and included in policy decisions.

As COP30 kicks off in Brazil, the global community is watching to see if world leaders will heed the ICJ’s advisory opinion and take concrete action to limit greenhouse gas emissions. For Indigenous Pacific advocates like Coral Pasisi, the stakes are high, as they continue to fight for climate justice and the preservation of their lands, cultures, and ways of life.

The road ahead is challenging, but with determination and unity, Pacific advocates hope to make a lasting impact at COP30 and beyond, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by climate change are heard and respected in international climate negotiations.

A recent statement made by a group of Indigenous youth delegates highlighted the importance of centering Indigenous rights and respecting the natural world in climate action discussions. The group emphasized the need to prioritize these values in order to create sustainable solutions that do not perpetuate systems of extraction and inequity. They referenced Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a treaty between Māori chiefs and New Zealand’s first settlers, as well as the concept of te taiao, which refers to the personhood of the natural world.

In Aotearoa, legal personhood has been granted to various natural entities, including a mountain, a forest, and a river, in an effort to protect these areas and uphold traditional Indigenous practices. This movement to recognize the rights of nature is gaining momentum and is rooted in Indigenous values that prioritize the interconnectedness of all living beings.

One delegate, Pasisi, who has attended numerous Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings, expressed a sense of disillusionment with the political process, noting that promises made by world leaders can easily be broken by future administrations. However, she finds hope in the dedication and enthusiasm of Pacific youth like Rikimani, who are committed to ensuring a sustainable future for themselves and future generations. Pasisi believes that empowering young people to take the lead in climate action is essential, as their voices and actions can drive meaningful change.

The involvement of youth in initiatives like the International Court of Justice (ICJ) call for climate action demonstrates the power and influence that young people can have when given the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. By supporting and amplifying the voices of young activists, there is potential for transformative and impactful change in the fight against climate change.

Overall, the importance of centering Indigenous perspectives, honoring the rights of nature, and empowering youth in climate action discussions cannot be overstated. By listening to and valuing these voices, we can work towards creating a more equitable and sustainable future for all.