Its gas emissions greenhouse which are absorbed by them oceans are considered marine contamination and countries are obliged to protect the marine environment by doing more than the Paris Climate Agreement.

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) today ruled on whether countries have a responsibility to reduce emissions and combat climate change – an opinion that could set a precedent for future climate cases.

The court’s opinion was sought by a group of island nations facing rise in level of seawater due to climate change.

While the court’s opinion in the case will not be legally binding, it will still be able to guide countries in their climate policy and be used as precedent in other cases.

During the hearing of the case in September, Chinathe biggest polluter carbon dioxide worldwide, had challenged the island countries’ request, arguing that the court generally lacks the power to issue opinions.

The decision could also affect two expected legal opinions from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice, both of which hear cases on states’ climate obligations.

Already last month, the European Court of Human Rights issued a historic ruling in favor of plaintiffs who argued that Switzerland is violating their human rights by not doing enough to combat warming caused by climate change.