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Galia Orme

Head of Projects & Legal, One Tribe

On 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark advisory opinion confirming that all states now have binding legal obligations to mitigate climate change, protect the environment, and prevent climate-related harm. Inaction is no longer legally defensible.

As Reuters reports, this ruling places climate action firmly within the remit of international law—putting governments on notice to reduce emissions, regulate polluters, and protect vulnerable communities from escalating climate risks.

“The court identified climate change as an urgent and existential threat, affirming that states have legal responsibilities to prevent significant harm and cooperate to avert further warming.”
 — Reuters, July 2025

What the ICJ Ruled

  1. Climate action is already a legal duty
     Under existing treaties (e.g. UNFCCC, Paris Agreement), customary international law, and human rights law, states must prevent environmental harm, act collectively, and regulate emissions from public and private sectors alike.
  2. Failure to act may trigger legal consequences
     Governments that fall short could be held internationally responsible—facing calls for compensation, cessation, and non-repetition of harmful practices.
  3. A clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a human right
     This affirms a legal foundation for action, especially for communities already suffering climate impacts and displacement.
  4. Developed nations must lead
     Wealthier, high-emitting states must adopt more ambitious targets, end fossil fuel subsidies, and deliver international climate finance.
  5. 1.5 °C is now a legal benchmark
     The ICJ frames the Paris Agreement’s temperature goal not as aspiration but as a binding standard for evaluating national climate policies.

Why This Matters for Business, Policy and Planet

Litigation risks are real—and rising
 Courts now have legal precedent to hold both governments and corporates accountable for climate inaction and its consequences.

The credibility bar is rising
 States and businesses must show measurable progress toward net-zero. Vague commitments will no longer suffice.

Finance and risk are being redefined
 Carbon-intensive operations face greater scrutiny from regulators, investors, and supply chain partners demanding climate-aligned strategies.

Vulnerable nations gain leverage
 Small island states and impacted communities now hold stronger legal and diplomatic ground to pursue justice—and reparations.

One Tribe’s Perspective

  • At One Tribe, we’ve long believed that trust and traceability are essential to credible climate action. This ruling affirms that belief—and raises the stakes.

    For our clients, the message is clear:

    • Compliance is no longer the ceiling—it’s the floor. Your climate strategy must be built on verifiable outcomes, transparent data, and real co-benefits.

    • Offsetting must evolve from a performative gesture to a strategic, legally aligned tool for emissions responsibility.

    • Events and commerce have a role to play. Through ECØS,  Eco-Commerce and bespoke carbon offset solutions, we help you take visible, measurable, and internationally credible action—backed by third-party verification and aligned with emerging legal expectations.

    Climate action is no longer optional.
     It’s a legal, reputational, and moral imperative.
     Let’s make your action count—because the world is now watching.

Let’s make a plan. Book a free consultation today.

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Eric currently works as an independent consultant at the intersection of nature and climate, focused on catalysing market and non-market solutions to drive the just transition.

He previously was Head of Product at Earthshot Labs, supporting nature conservation and restoration projects across the global south secure project finance. Prior to Earthshot Labs, Eric led nature-based carbon project development for Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique and founded the Carbon Cooperative, a global alliance of leading nature conservation and restoration practitioners exploring carbon finance. After serving in the Peace Corps in Mozambique out of university, he spent much of his 20s working in community-based conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa interspersed with two startup ventures as co-founder and CEO of a mental health tech startup and COO of a sustainable coffee company. Eric has a dual Masters in Environmental Engineering and Environmental Policy from Stanford University where he was a NSF Graduate Research Fellow and a BS in Environmental Engineering from Tufts University.

Alan is a risk management thought-leader, superconnector, and FinTech pioneer. His mission is to enable an Earth Positive economy which includes nature in global accounting systems.

Alan is Founder of Generation Blue, a venture studio dedicated to planetary game changers powered by exponential technologies. Previously, Alan established Natural Capital Markets at Lykke AG, pioneering blockchain based forestry and carbon backed tokens. Alan has over two decades of risk management experience advising global financial institutions, and was a founding member of the RiskMetrics Group, a JPMorgan spin-off. Alan is an investor and advisor to regenerative impact ventures, including TreeBuddy.Earth, Regenativ, and Vlinder Climate.

Lori Whitecalf made history when she became the first woman to be elected Chief of Sweetgrass First Nation in 2011. She served three terms of office from 2011-2017.  

Lori took a two-year hiatus from leadership to expand the family ranch and serve as the FSIN Senior Industry Liaison. She was re-elected on November 29. 2019 and again on November 30, 2021, as Chief of Sweetgrass. Chief Whitecalf practises a traditional lifestyle of hunting, fishing and gathering. She currently sits on the following boards: Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology, FSIN Lands and Resource Commission, Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre and Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs Executive Council, FSIN Women’s Commission.

Tina is the Chief Business Officer for MLTC Industrial Investments, the Economic Development arm of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. She has a diverse background of experience. Having spent 15 years as a municipal Chief Operating Officer, 20 years involved in Saskatchewan’s Health Authority Board Keewatin Yatthe and 9 years with Northern Lights Board of Education. 

 

She continues as a Board Member with Beaver River Community Futures supporting small business development in her home region. Tina brings a wealth of experience in a variety of fields and many connections to the Indigenous communities of Northern Saskatchewan. In addition Tina holds a BA Advanced from the U of S, a Certificate in Local Government Authority from the U of R and is certified as a Professional Economic Developer for Saskatchewan and a certified Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer (TAED).

Tootoosis’ career spans 40+ years in HRM, political leadership, and Indigenous economic development, as a dedicated bridge builder and advocate for Indigenous causes.
As a key member of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) team since 2021, he develops strategies for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report and Call to Action #92.

He is a graduate of the First Nations University of Canada and a certified Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer. Spearheading various community initiatives while serving as a Chair of the SIEDN while directing ILDII and WIBF. Founder of MGT Consulting Tootoosis is based in Saskatoon, Treaty Six Territory.

Cy Standing (Wakanya Najin in Dakota) has a long and distinguished career including serving overseas as an Electronics Technician in the Royal Canadian Air Force, former Chief of Wahpeton Dakota Nation, former Vice Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations (FSIN), past Executive Director of Community Development Branch of the Department of Northern Saskatchewan as well as an Order in Council appointment to the Federal Parole Board.  

Mr. Standing has served as a Director on many Profit and Non-Profit Corporate Boards, including serving as a Director for Affinity Credit Union with assets of over six billion dollars as well as IMI Brokerage and Wanuskewin and is currently a member of the One Tribe Indigenous Carbon Board.