In a landmark ruling, the International Court of Justice declared that failure to act on climate change can be an “internationally wrongful act”—meaning countries could face legal consequences for harming the planet.

The International Court of Justice said that climate change threatens all life and may violate human rights. It also said that citizens can hold governments legally accountable for not taking adequate action to ensure a safe climate.

The United Nations’ top court in a landmark advisory opinion says countries could be in violation of international law if they fail to take measures to protect the planet from climate change, and nations harmed by its effects could be entitled to reparations.