Inter-American Court of Human Rights Urges Review of ISDS for Climate Action

An iceberg floats on water with mountains in the background.

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued a landmark advisory opinion linking climate obligations with the reform of ISDS. The court urged states in the Americas to review existing ISDS frameworks to ensure they do not impede necessary climate action. This opinion marks the first time a regional human rights court has explicitly tied climate governance to international investment law reform. By framing climate protection as a human rights obligation, the court has expanded the normative foundation for states to prioritize environmental measures even in the face of investment claims. It is expected that this decision could have ripple effects beyond Latin America, influencing global debates on ISDS reform. A more detailed analysis by IISD can be found here.