A former UN climate chief has asserted that nations are being “held hostage” by their dependence on fossil fuels, labeling the health repercussions of climate change as “the mother of all injustices.” Christiana Figueres, who played a pivotal role in the 2016 Paris Agreement, made these remarks following her appointment as co-chair of a Lancet Commission that will explore the effects of rising sea levels on health, wellbeing, and social equity.
The Lancet Commissions are international partnerships dedicated to analyzing significant global health challenges and shaping policy. This particular commission aims to investigate legal measures to hold nations liable for the health risks associated with sea-level rise, with results expected by September 2027.
While the timing of this announcement coincides with the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, Figueres emphasized that the current fuel crisis starkly illustrates the global reliance on fossil fuels, which is contributing to geopolitical instability and the health concerns the commission seeks to address.
The formation of the commission follows calls from health ministers in Pacific island nations for increased global attention on sea-level rise as a pressing health and justice issue, in addition to its environmental implications. Rising sea levels threaten to contaminate drinking water, disrupt food supplies, and displace entire communities.
The phenomenon of sea-level rise is not uniform; it varies based on weather patterns, oceanic currents, and gravitational shifts as polar ice melts. Regions farthest from ice sheets are experiencing a more significant rise, particularly in the Pacific, where countries like Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji could become uninhabitable within decades. Low-lying urban areas such as New Orleans, Cardiff, London, and Amsterdam also face serious risks.
Recent research published in the journal Nature indicated that ocean levels have been underestimated due to flawed modeling. In some regions of the Global South, particularly Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, levels may be 100 to 150 centimeters higher than previously anticipated.
“The climate community has often communicated these issues in overly complex terms, as if climate change were a distant concern,” Figueres remarked. “By framing these challenges in terms of health, dignity, livelihoods, and cultural identity, we can better contextualize the necessity of emission reductions, recognizing that this is fundamentally about human experiences on our planet.” She noted that the crisis is already impacting drinking water, sanitation, and food security due to land salinization.
“This is an immediate health crisis and embodies profound injustice,” she added. Figueres also pointed out that the commission would investigate the intergenerational trauma and inequities stemming from displacement. “Imagine the anguish of leaving behind the remains of your ancestors to protect your children’s future,” she expressed, highlighting the emotional toll felt in Pacific island communities. “This grief cannot be quantified economically.”
She expressed concern for young people today, many of whom grow up aware of the harsh realities of climate change. “How many are hesitant to start families due to fears about the conditions their children will inherit?” she asked.
The commission intends to explore avenues for holding major polluters accountable for the irreversible damage inflicted upon nations that contribute minimally to climate change. It will review existing legal frameworks, identify deficiencies in protections, and seek innovative strategies to uphold health standards and justice for affected communities.
A significant advisory opinion released by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2025 established that nations have a legal duty to mitigate climate harm, with potential liabilities for failing to comply. While the ruling is non-binding, Figueres believes it will catalyze a rise in climate litigation and inspire groundbreaking legal challenges.
“The ICJ’s unequivocal stance marks a vital initial step regarding legal repercussions,” she stated. Vanuatu is set to lead a UN General Assembly resolution in May aimed at reinforcing the ICJ’s opinion, which, if adopted, could influence global implementation of its findings.
However, UN experts have raised alarms about attempts by certain nations to block the resolution’s consideration and a growing reluctance to explicitly address fossil fuel responsibilities and climate harm. Figueres contended that legal agreements alone are insufficient to address the health impacts of the climate crisis, recalling how Canada withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol just before incurring substantial penalties for failing to meet its emission targets. “They simply notified me of their exit,” she recounted, emphasizing that having a legally binding commitment does not guarantee compliance.
Figueres expressed her belief that meaningful change is more likely to arise from a combination of legal pressure, scientific evidence, and appealing to the “enlightened self-interest” of governments and corporations. “It is crucial to expose the consequences of inaction,” she insisted, suggesting that businesses recognize the need to reduce emissions for sustainability, and governments understand the necessity of emission reductions to stabilize their economies and protect their populations.
“The commission will focus on the interplay of scientific facts and the imperative for action,” she concluded.
