In 2019, a group of law students from Pacific island nations set in motion a case that made it to the world’s highest court: The International Court of Justice. The students wanted answers to two important questions: what responsibility do countries have to stop climate change? And if countries don’t stop polluting, will they have to pay for the damages? Now the ICJ has delivered its verdict, and it seems like a huge win for the climate. But is it? Laura Clarke, chief executive officer of legal non-profit ClientEarth, joins Akshat Rathi on Zero to discuss.

Explore further:
One Pacific Nation’s Court Case Opens New Era for Climate Lawsuits - Bloomberg
UN Top Court Says Countries Are Obliged to Fight Climate Change - Bloomberg
Heat Pump Sales Top Gas Boilers in Germany for the First Time - Bloomberg

Zero is a production of Bloomberg Green. Our producer is Oscar Boyd. Special thanks to Eleanor Harrison Dengate, Siobhan Wagner, Sommer Saadi and Mohsis Andam. Thoughts or suggestions? Email us at zeropod@bloomberg.net. For more coverage of climate change and solutions, visit https://www.bloomberg.com/green.

In 2019, a group of law students from Pacific island nations set in motion a case that made it to the world&rsquo;s highest court: The International Court of Justice. The students wanted answers to two important questions: what responsibility do countries have to stop climate change? And if countries don&rsquo;t stop polluting, will they have to pay for the damages? Now the ICJ has delivered its verdict, and it seems like a huge win for the climate. But is it? Laura Clarke, chief executive officer of legal non-profit ClientEarth, joins Akshat Rathi on Zero to discuss.
Explore further:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-07-24/one-pacific-nation-s-court-case-opens-new-era-for-climate-lawsuits">One Pacific Nation&rsquo;s Court Case Opens New Era for Climate Lawsuits - Bloomberg</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-23/vanuatu-wins-landmark-legal-battle-over-climate-change-impact?srnd=homepage-europe">UN Top Court Says Countries Are Obliged to Fight Climate Change - Bloomberg</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-25/heat-pump-sales-top-gas-boilers-in-germany-for-the-first-time?srnd=phx-green">Heat Pump Sales Top Gas Boilers in Germany for the First Time - Bloomberg</a></li>
</ul>
Zero is a production of Bloomberg Green. Our producer is Oscar Boyd. Special thanks to Eleanor Harrison Dengate, Siobhan Wagner, Sommer Saadi and Mohsis Andam. Thoughts or suggestions? Email us at zeropod@bloomberg.net. For more coverage of climate change and solutions, visit <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/green">https://www.bloomberg.com/green</a>.

Zero is about the tactics and technologies taking us to a world of zero emissions. Each week Bloomberg’s award-winning reporter Akshat Rathi talks to the people tackling climate change – a venture capitalist hunting for the best cleantech investment, scientists starting companies, politicians who have successfully created climate laws, and CEOs who have completely transformed their businesses. The road to zero emissions has many paths and everyone’s got an opinion about the best route. Listen in.

Zero: The Climate Race

Zero

How a bunch of students beat big polluters in the world's highest court

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a1589176-9f20-49d7-b337-b32a00e66b56/transcript

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