On the verge of an historic moment
16/07/2025
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Dear Planetary Steward, dear friend of the Global Commons Alliance,
We are on the verge of a truly historic moment in the fight for climate justice. Next week on July 23, the International Court of Justice is expected to deliver its long-anticipated Advisory Opinion (AO) on climate change, to clarify that States have binding legal duties to protect people and our living planet. Grounded in science, equity and fundamental human rights, and driven by Pacific youth and small island nations—as well as supported by an unprecedented coalition of civil society, Indigenous Peoples and States—the AO has the power to set a new global benchmark for accountability, inspiring stronger climate and nature action ahead of COP30 and far beyond.
Recent extreme weather events including the heatwaves across Europe and Asia highlight the impacts of inaction, especially for frontline communities. Last week scientists warned that billions of people are at risk from climate tipping points, as global warming is expected to exceed 1.5°C in a few years. Following the Global Tipping Points Conference at the University of Exeter, climate and Earth system experts urged world leaders to take “immediate, unprecedented action”, to prevent cascading climate tipping points.
In the statement endorsed by almost 200 delegates including Earth Commissioners and conveners of the conference Professor Tim Lenton, Johan Rockström and Ricarda Winkelmann, the scientists write: “This is a human rights and planetary health imperative and ultimately a matter of survival.”
To drive collaboration across sectors for urgent action, the GCA and partners gathered at London Climate Action Week (LCAW) last month, where the Earth Public Information Collaborative (EPIC)—which is led by Earth HQ, New Zero World, Science Influencer Studio and partners—launched the Blueprint: “Transforming Climate Narratives through Health and Wellbeing” at the Climate Innovation Forum. The new framework focuses on harnessing the power of digital, AI, partnerships and large-scale public mobilization to provide a science-aligned narrative that accelerates systems change toward a Safe and Just future for all.
As well as strategic storytelling, accountability is central to driving societal change. At LCAW, the Accountability Accelerator community co-hosted sessions on locally-led adaptation and Indigenous governance. In the same week, the Science Based Targets Network launched a new validation milestone: starting now, companies can have their materiality and value chain assessment independently validated by the Accountability Accelerator—turning insights from the first step in the target-setting process into a credible, public milestone on their nature journey.
Through all of this, our wider network continues to grow stronger by the day. Thank you for working with us to defend climate, nature, and people. As we build momentum ahead of COP30, our Alliance—driven by justice, science, and collaboration—will keep challenging the status quo and enabling the equitable safeguarding, restoration, and governance of Earth’s vital life-support systems, for all people, now.
With all our best,
Will Tucker, Director of Communications and Resource Mobilization
Sebastian Schienle, Director of Partnerships and Programs
