Changing Role Of International Court Of Justice In Energy Governance

Shruti Singh, KIIT School of Law

ABSTRACT

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It is responsible for settling legal disputes between states and giving advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and specialized agencies. Energy governance refers to the rules, institutions, and policies that govern the production, distribution, and consumption of energy resources. This includes areas such as energy security, renewable energy development, and climate change mitigation. One of the main areas where the ICJ is involved in energy governance is in disputes related to the delimitation of maritime boundaries and the allocation of offshore oil and gas resources. The court has been called upon to resolve disputes between neighboring states over the ownership of oil and gas reserves in the continental shelf, which is the area of seabed that extends from a coastal state's shore to a distance of up to 200 nautical miles. The ICJ has also been involved in disputes related to the interpretation and application of international treaties and agreements on energy, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). In these cases, the court can provide guidance on the legal obligations of states regarding energy governance and help to resolve disputes between states that arise from differences in interpretation or application of these agreements. In summary, the ICJ plays an important role in energy governance by providing legal guidance and resolving disputes related to the ownership and allocation of energy resources, as well as the interpretation and application of international treaties and agreements on energy.