The United Nations’ top court is holding unprecedented hearings to establish legal guidelines on how countries should address climate change, particularly for vulnerable nations. Representatives from Vanuatu and other at-risk islands will lead discussions over two weeks with submissions from over 100 countries and organizations. While some activists view this as a critical opportunity for legal clarity, others worry about the potential limited impact of the advisory opinion. The hearings follow a contentious climate agreement at COP29, where developing countries criticized inadequate financial pledges.