News from the Green Rights Coalition

We are pleased to share with you the latest news from our work at the Green Rights Coalition. The past months have been filled with important milestones on the international stage and within our own team.

1. Highlights from UNOC 3 in Nice

From June 9–13, 2025, the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) took place in Nice, organized by France and Costa Rica. The conference focused on: “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”.

The Green Rights Coalition was honored to participate in this landmark event alongside UN member states, international agencies, the private sector, local authorities, and civil society.

Key Outcomes:

• The treaty on marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction was a central topic, with a significant focus on accelerating its ratification : it will enter into force on January 17, 2026 after reaching the 60 ratifications threshold (achieved on September 19, 2025, with Morocco’s ratification).

• Mobilization continued on the global moratorium on deep-sea mining.

• Examples of national and regional commitments:

  • France pledged to protect 78% of its marine areas, with 14.8% under strict protection by the end of 2026.

  • French Polynesia will create the largest protected marine area.

• The European Commission announced a €1 billion investment to support ocean conservation, science, and sustainable fishing.

• A 96-country declaration, the Nice Wake-Up Call, reaffirmed commitment to ending plastic pollution (though the international treaty on plastic was not adopted).

• The Nice Ocean Plan was adopted, including 800 voluntary commitments across governments, scientists, and civil society.

Green Rights Coalition’s Contributions at UNOC:

•  Conference: “Protecting the Ocean: mobilizing human rights and environmental rights”

  • Speakers: Yann Aguila, Marine Calmet, Astrid Puentes Riaño, Michel Prieur

  • Moderator: Elissa Phillips

• Presentation of the Environmental Rights Fresk, an educational collaborative tool, receiving very positive feedback.

• Co-host at the CleanWalk with Nice Plogging to raise awareness on ocean waste.

Thanks to our volunteers, in particular Marin Lardeau, Juliette Dessagne, Ambre Zwetyenga, Severine Ginot, and our partners: Ocean Rights Coalition (UK), Earth Law Center, Incredible Oceans, CIDCE.

2. ICJ Advisory Opinion on States’ Obligations on Climate Change

On 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) affirmed that human rights, including the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, form the foundation of states’ climate obligations.

Key Takeaways:

• Obligations under International Law: States must mitigate and adapt to climate change, cooperate, and provide financial/technical support. Even States that are non-parties to climate treaties may be bound under customary international law.

• Human rights recognition: Environmental rights are essential for the realization of other rights. Vulnerable groups are particularly affected by climate change.

• State responsibility: Failure to act or regulate emissions constitutes a breach of States’ obligations. Each State can be held accountable even if harm is cumulative.

• Erga Omnes obligations: States’ climate duties apply to all, reflecting global environmental commons protection.

• Legal consequences: States must cease unlawful acts, prevent recurrence, restore ecosystems where feasible, and may owe compensation.

  
  

For more details, read our summary of the opinion here.

The Green Rights Coalition’s Contribution:

●      We submitted an Amicus curiae brief (see the full document here and for the synthesis here), signed by young volunteers from 34+ countries, in which we advocated for environmental rights as a foundation for climate obligations. The ICJ opinion aligns with our work in recognizing the importance of human rights into global climate governance.

3. New volunteers

Last but not least, we are delighted to announce that Marin Lardeau is now serving as the Deputy Director of the Green Rights Coalition. Having been with us since 2017, from the very beginning of the Global Pact for the Environment adventure, Marin has long been a pillar of our work. We are thrilled to see him take on this leadership role alongside Victoria Lichet, our Executive Director, and Yann Aguila, our President.

We would also like to warmly thank our new volunteers who recently joined the Green Rights Coalition team as coordinators of some of our programs:

• Krisha Mae Cabrera, Communications Director

• Alexandra Wenzel, Co-coordinator of the Ambassador Program

• Joe Uprichard, Jurist Program coordinator 

• Francesca Riccardi, Partnership Program Co-coordinator

• Hsin-Yu- Pan, organizational development coordinatoor

• Sara Benbalit, Green Diplomacy blog coordinator

Thank you to all of them for their incredible work!

Finally, THANK YOU for standing with us in the fight for the recognition of environmental rights worldwide. Every step forward is thanks to a growing movement of people like you who believe in the right to a healthy environment for all.

If you would like to strengthen our work, please consider making a financial contribution to the Green Rights Coalition. Even small donations make a big difference in supporting our advocacy, events, and volunteer initiatives : https://www.greenrightscoalition.org/en/donation

With gratitude,

The Green Rights Coalition Team