The International Court of Justice is holding historic hearings to craft a so-called "advisory opinion" on states' responsibilities to fight climate change and the consequences for those damaging the environment.

"France is convinced that these advisory proceedings provide a unique opportunity for the court to contribute to identifying and clarifying international law in regard to the fight against climate change," said Diego Colas, the country's representative.

"Like many other countries, France has high expectations of these proceedings and the opinion that you will hand down," added Colas.

He said that the impact of the ICJ's opinion was "beyond doubt".

France was one of more than 100 countries and organisations presenting at the ICJ, the biggest case ever before the world's top court.

Critics say the ICJ's advisory opinion, which will take months if not years to write, will lack teeth as it is non binding upon states and there is no means of enforcement.

Others hope the ICJ will lay down a legal precedent that will influence domestic climate legislation and litigation.

France warned in October that temperatures in the country were on track to rise by four degrees Celsius (seven degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100 due to global warming, wiping 10 points off French gross domestic product.

The government report said that 500,000 homes would come under threat because of a receding coastline by the end of the century.

France is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050 and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent in 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

"Without resolute action towards mitigation and adaptation, we rush headlong towards worsening climate change consequences, disastrous for both the environment and humans alike," said Colas.