Environmental organizations are welcoming the historic judgment of the European Court of Human Rights on Switzerland regarding climate action.
The case of Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland concerned a complaint by four women about the consequences of global warming on their living conditions and health. The Court found that the Swiss Confederation had failed to comply with its duties under the Convention concerning climate change.
Other individuals from France and Portugal came with similar complaints, but theirs were deemed inadmissible as they didn’t fulfil certain criteria, including pursuing legal avenues domestically before coming before the ECHR.
Various politicians have spoken out about the judgement:
The President of the Confederation Viola Amherd said she was surprised. Sustainability, biodiversity and the net zero objective are “very important” for Switzerland, she assured.
Councilor Mike Egger from the Swiss People’s Party described the verdict as "ridiculous".
Nicolo Paganini of the Centre party said the conviction is “a failure to respect direct democracy”. He pointed out that it was the people and not Parliament who rejected the CO2 law in June 2021.
President of the Greens Lisa Mazzone remarked “the Elders for the climate have written History”.
The delivery of judgements is available to watch online.
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