\n<\/p>\n
UNITED NATIONS — <\/span>The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to support strong action to prevent climate change despite recent diplomatic efforts by the United States to have the measure withdrawn. <\/p>\n The 193-member world body approved a nonbinding resolution endorsing the landmark advisory opinion<\/a> by the U.N.\u2019s top court last July that called failure by countries to protect the planet from climate change a violation of international law. The vote was 141-8 with 28 abstentions. <\/p>\n The U.S., Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia \u2014 some of the highest oil-producing nations and major greenhouse gas emitters \u2014 opposed the measure. <\/p>\n The text included adopting a national climate action plan to limit global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius; phasing out subsidies for fossil fuel exploration, production and exploitation; and urging those in violation to provide \u201cfull reparation\u201d for damage. <\/p>\n The resolution had initially included stronger language from the International Court of Justice opinion that called for establishing an \u201cInternational Register of Damage\u201d to record evidence and claims, but it was removed after nearly a dozen consultations in order to receive more support.<\/p>\n The adoption came despite reporting by the Associated Press<\/a> in February that the Trump administration had been urging other nations to press the small island country of Vanuatu \u2014 the draft’s original sponsor \u2014 to withdraw it from consideration. <\/p>\n In guidance issued to all U.S. embassies and consulates, the State Department had said it \u201cstrongly objects\u201d to the proposal and that its adoption \u201ccould pose a major threat to U.S. industry.\u201d<\/p>\n On Wednesday, Tammy Bruce, the deputy U.S. ambassador to the U.N., blasted the measure once again, calling it \u201chighly problematic\u201d and maintaining that Washington has serious legal and policy concerns despite changes to the draft. <\/p>\n \u201cThe resolution includes inappropriate political demands relating to fossil fuels and on other climate topics,\u201d Bruce told the assembly before the vote. <\/p>\n