The trillion dollar case:
Who pays for the climate catastrophe?

The documentary THE TRILLION-CASE depicts the unprecedented battle being waged by young people and small nations in the South Pacific before the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The aim is for the court to issue a ruling holding industrialised nations accountable for climate change and potentially ordering them to pay trillions in reparations to the Global South. The case was initiated by 27 law students from the University of the South Pacific, hailing from the islands that are likely to be the first to become uninhabitable due to rising sea levels and more frequent storms.

The biggest trial in human history began with a hearing in The Hague in December 2024. As might be expected, the polluters from the Global North are fighting back against claims for compensation. Neither the US nor Germany is willing to pay for past emissions. The young law students are up against an opponent accustomed to fighting on the international stage. Where do they find the courage and strength to keep fighting nonetheless?

They have already achieved their first success: their desire for climate justice convinced the UN General Assembly in 2023 and led to a resolution calling on the international community to take action against climate change.

The film centres on the protagonists Vishal from Fiji and Jule from Germany. Both are committed to justice and compensation for climate damage in developing countries. The story follows their struggle to bring crucial witness statements before the ICJ in order to increase the chances of success of the proceedings. Their journey takes them through the world of international diplomacy, where they encounter powerful opponents, including industrialised countries and oil companies that want to avoid paying billions in reparations. Lobbyists and diplomats from large nations try to influence the votes of small island states, while lawyers Anne-Sophie and Lee-Anne from Vanuatu fight against such influences.

The film is set in the Peace Palace in The Hague, which plays an important role as the symbolic seat of the ICJ, and in the ‘chess room’ of the Global South. There, representatives of Vanuatu and the young activists discuss their tactical moves and strategically counter the arguments of the major industrialised countries in court. An exclusive insight into the diplomatic power struggles illustrates how complex the processes surrounding climate justice are at the international level.

The film follows the protagonists not only during the oral hearings, but also in their everyday lives and personal struggles, which stem from the unequal living conditions in the Global North and South. In THE TRILLION DOLLAR CASE, director Felix Golenko documents the struggle for justice and a forward-looking climate policy. The film refrains from passing moral judgement and instead highlights the optimism of young people who, with determination and hope, are demanding accountability on behalf of future generations. The film is supported by exclusive interview sequences with judges and historical interludes that clarify the context and significance of the court proceedings.