An advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice last year left no doubt that states have a legal obligation to prevent significant harm to the climate system, and that a failure to do so carries legal consequences. Now, a new United Nations resolution seeks to put this ruling into practice. By Ralph Regenvanu

Despite political gridlock within countries and at global summits, climate change and ecological degradation are creating undeniable economic momentum. As renewables scale up, fossil fuels will become even less competitive; and as ecosystems degrade, markets will price in the risks and reward those who adapt. By Julie McCarthy

Much of the international community has been under the illusion that climate action and development are different pursuits. But to make progress on both agendas, the delegates at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference must recognise that they are one and the same, and begin building an integrated financing system. By Mahmoud Mohieldin

As the host of this year's UN Climate Change Conference, Brazil seeks to make COP30 the “COP of implementation.” Translating commitments into robust action should include providing indigenous peoples with direct access to predictable and sustainable finance, and treating them as equal partners, rather than as beneficiaries. By Eileen Mairena Cunningham