An international court in France delivered a historic judgment on Tuesday, ruling that Switzerland’s insufficient action on the climate crisis violated human rights. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg made this ruling in response to a case brought forward by over 2,000 Swiss women, most of whom are in their seventies, against the Swiss government. Their argument centered on the detrimental health effects and risks to their lives caused by climate change-induced heat waves.
The court concluded that the Swiss government’s failure to enact comprehensive legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and its inability to meet previous climate targets constituted a breach of the women’s rights. This breach directly undermined their entitlement to effective protection against the adverse impacts of climate change on their lives, health, well-being, and overall quality of life.
This landmark ruling by the ECHR, the first of its kind regarding climate litigation, carries significant implications. It establishes a legal precedent that could strengthen similar human rights-based climate cases currently awaiting judgment in international courts. Furthermore, it may pave the way for numerous future lawsuits targeting governments worldwide.
Legal experts assert that this ruling compels European nations, including Switzerland, to urgently revise their climate targets to align with scientific recommendations, particularly aiming to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The decision also underscores the imperative for governments to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, the primary driver of climate change.
While the Swiss Federal Office of Justice acknowledged the judgment, stating that it would analyze the ruling and consider necessary measures for the future, environmental advocates emphasize the broader significance of the verdict. They stress that it sends a clear message to governments worldwide that they must take substantive action to mitigate emissions and safeguard the human rights of their citizens.
Despite the dismissal of other climate-related claims by the ECHR, including a case brought by a French mayor and another by six Portuguese youths against 32 European countries, activists remain resolute. They view this ruling as a crucial step in holding governments accountable for their environmental responsibilities. As climate litigation gains traction globally, with more individuals and groups seeking legal recourse to compel decisive action on climate change, the verdict against Switzerland serves as a precedent for future legal proceedings in international courts.