Parallel Advisory Proceedings

Abstract On 12 December 2022, COSIS requested an advisory opinion from the ITLOS on climate change related obligations under UNCLOS . Four weeks later, on 9 January 2023, Chile and Colombia submitted a series of questions to the IACtHR on human rights obligations of States in the context of climate change. Shortly thereafter, on 29 March 2023, the UNGA requested an advisory opinion from the ICJ on the obligations of States to prevent and remedy climate change related damages. These three advisory proceedings come at a time when legal guidance on climate change related obligations is needed more than ever. However, the fact that the three advisory proceedings occur parallel to each other presents unique challenges, particularly the risk that the three Courts could provide conflicting answers to the same underlying questions. The paper looks at the challenges which parallel advisory opinions present to the advisory function.