Europe’s top human rights court has made a groundbreaking ruling against the Swiss government for not doing enough to combat climate change, stating that it violated its citizens’ human rights. The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, found that Switzerland had failed to meet its carbon emissions reduction target and must take action to address this shortfall.
The case was brought by a group called KlimaSeniorinnen, or Senior Women for Climate Protection, whose members, aged 64 and older, argued that their health was at risk during heat waves caused by global warming. The court agreed that the Swiss government’s lack of action to mitigate global warming had infringed upon their rights.
This ruling sets a precedent for using human rights law to hold governments accountable for their climate commitments. Experts believe that this decision could inspire more activists to take legal action against governments that fail to meet their climate targets.
While the ruling is legally binding, experts emphasize that it is ultimately up to states to comply with the court’s decision. Switzerland, known for its commitment to the rule of law, is expected to take the necessary steps to address the court’s findings.
The court’s decision could also lead to an increase in climate-related lawsuits in other European countries. With many nations falling short of their climate goals, the ruling serves as a wake-up call for governments to prioritize environmental protection.
The Swiss government, which argued that human rights law does not apply to climate change, will now need to implement measures to address the court’s ruling. The court has ordered Switzerland to pay the KlimaSeniorinnen group 80,000 euros to cover their costs and expenses.
Overall, this landmark ruling highlights the intersection of climate change and human rights, emphasizing the importance of government action in protecting citizens from the effects of global warming.
