Vanuatu will be leading the charge for compensation at the upcoming International Court of Justice climate hearings.
The case is considered to be the biggest in history and is demanding answers on the legal consequences for the countries most responsible for climate change.
"This is our home, and we intend to defend our right to thrive in it," said Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change director Vishal Prasad.
Vanuatu's Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Ralph Regenvanu, said, "It is a turning point in the global fight against climate change, and it's an opportunity to clarify what nations owe to one another."
Last year, Vanuatu was hit by two category four cyclones within days of each other and a category five cyclone later, before the cyclone season had even begun.
"Each of these climate change disasters we face costs us dearly. We face casualties, injuries, and we generally lose up to a half of GDP every time one of the severe tropical cyclones strikes," said Regenvanu.
The court hearings begin next month with 100 oral statements, 88 of them from country delegations.
Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, who leads Vanuatu's legal council, said, " In terms of participation, we can safely say this is the biggest case in human history."
More details about the case are being released as the pacific starts its cyclone season.
1News Meteorologist Daniel Corbett said, "It could be a slightly more active season, with a bit more juice and a bit more oomph in the atmosphere.
"The seas are going to be warmer, and all that mixed together makes for some bigger storms, and the storms could form a bit further west, so that's Vanuatu and parts of New Caledonia."
Countries are gathering in Azerbaijan this week for the UN climate change conference. Compensation for those facing severe climate impacts is on the table.
Many countries are refusing to commit, but an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice could help.
"It is a call for every nation, particularly those who have and continue to exacerbate the climate crisis, to take seriously their responsibility for the future we all share," said Prasad.
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