A top UN court has ruled that countries, including the UK, can be sued for their role in climate change.
The decision, made by a judge at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, Netherlands, cleared the way for nations to sue each other over the historical causes of climate change.
However, the judge noted it would be difficult to determine which nations caused specific parts of climate change.
This non-binding ruling will be seen as a victory for countries facing the brunt of the effects of climate change today.
The case was first brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by law students from a group of Pacific Islands, a region which regularly faces extreme weather caused by climate change.
"Tonight I'll sleep easier. The ICJ has recognised what we have lived through – our suffering, our resilience and our right to our future," said Flora Vano, from the Pacific Island Vanuatu.
"This is a victory not just for us but for every frontline community fighting to be heard."
Industrialised nations, including the UK, argued against the decision, suggesting current climate change agreements place enough responsibility on developed countries.
But today, Judge Iwasawa Yuji rejected that argument, calling on countries like the UK to adopt more ambitious climate policies.
He added the ruling should also apply to countries that are signed up to the Paris Climate Agreement, such as the United States.
"The ruling is a watershed legal moment," said Joie Chowdhury, Senior Attorney at the Centre for International Environmental Law told the BBC.
"With today's authoritative historic ruling, the International Court of Justice has broken with business-as-usual and delivered a historic affirmation: those suffering the impacts of climate devastation have a right to remedy for climate harm, including through compensation," she added.
