European Court of Human Rights Rules in Favor of Elderly Swiss Women in Landmark Climate Case

On Tuesday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled in favor of more than 2,000 elderly Swiss women who brought a case against their government's response to the climate crisis. The court's decision was seen as a significant moment in climate litigation cases argued on human rights grounds and is expected to have global implications.

ECHR's Ruling

The ECHR found that the Swiss government had violated the human right to respect for private and family life and failed to fulfill its duties under the convention regarding climate change. This landmark ruling may compel the Swiss government to review and enhance its climate policies, including revising its near-term emissions reduction targets to align with the Paris Agreement.

Impact Beyond Europe

The impact of the ECHR's decision is not limited to Europe. It is expected to set a precedent for similar climate litigation cases around the world, with implications for countries beyond European borders.

Reactions to the Decision

Vesselina Newman, fundamental rights lead at ClientEarth, hailed the ruling as a significant victory for those holding their governments accountable for climate inaction. She emphasized that the decision sends a clear message to governments worldwide that real action on emissions is necessary to safeguard the human rights of their citizens.

Newman highlighted the pioneering nature of the court ruling in the context of climate litigation in Europe. She also pointed out that the ruling would set new principles for judges to apply in a growing number of climate cases, while emphasizing the legal duty of signatory states to ensure sufficient climate action to protect human rights.

Global Implications

The impact of the ECHR's ruling extends beyond Switzerland and Europe. According to Newman, similar human-rights based climate cases are pending in other countries such as Brazil, Peru, Australia, and South Korea. The outcome of these cases could potentially be influenced by the principles established in the landmark judgment.

Response from Authorities

While the Swiss Justice Ministry did not immediately respond to the ruling, Swiss President Viola Amherd emphasized that climate policy remains a top priority. She declined to comment in detail, stating the need to review the ECHR's decision first.

The ECHR also ruled two other similar climate cases as inadmissible. This decision reinforces the significance of the ruling in the Swiss case as a historic judgment concerning the inadequacy of States' climate action.