By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Switzerland found liable for climate crisis violations.
In a groundbreaking decision, an international court in France has ruled that Switzerland’s inadequate response to the climate crisis constitutes a violation of human rights, setting a precedent with global implications.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France, issued rulings on three separate climate-related lawsuits. One of these cases, brought by over 2,000 elderly Swiss women, argued that climate change-induced heatwaves posed a significant threat to their health and well-being, ultimately jeopardizing their lives.
The court determined that Switzerland had failed to fulfill its obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby infringing upon the human rights of the plaintiffs. While the other two claims were deemed inadmissible, they similarly underscored the profound impact of government inaction on climate change.
These landmark judgments mark the first instance of the court addressing climate litigation, signaling a shift towards holding governments accountable for their role in exacerbating the climate crisis. Importantly, the rulings are legally binding, with no avenue for appeal.
While the immediate implications pertain to Switzerland, legal experts anticipate that the verdict will galvanize similar human rights-based climate lawsuits globally. According to Gerry Liston of the Global Legal Action Network, a judgment against any country effectively functions as a binding treaty enforced by the court.
As the world grapples with the escalating climate emergency, this ruling serves as a pivotal moment in the fight for climate justice and accountability.
Switzerland, Climate Crisis