This week, the International Court of Justice began hearing oral arguments in a high-profile case brought by the island nation of Vanuatu on what obligations United Nations member states have under international law to protect the planet from greenhouse gas emissions for future generations.

The United Nations' top court will open hearings on Monday into what countries worldwide are legally required to do to combat climate change.View on euronews

After years of lobbying by island nations who fear they could simply disappear under rising sea waters, the U.N. General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice last year for an opinion on “the obligations of States in respect of climate change.

The United Nations' top court will start unprecedented hearings on Monday aimed at setting legal guidelines for how countries should protect the planet against climate change and help vulnerable natio

Hearings to focus on what countries worldwide are legally required to do to combat the phenomenon and help vulnerable nations fight its devastating impact