In a decision made public in April 2024, the European Court of Human Rights responded to the lawsuit filed by the Swiss Association of Older Women for Climate Protection and ruled that the Swiss state is violating the rights to private and family life of that sector of the population by not taking the necessary measures to combat the climate crisis.
This is the first time this court has ruled on the inaction of state authorities regarding global warming. The judgment establishes that the State of Switzerland has failed to meet its obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with respect to its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Therefore, the country must adjust its climate targets.
The ruling is binding and could set a precedent for the 46 member states of the Council of Europe. According to the judgment, the defendant state will determine precisely the measures it must adopt with the assistance of the Committee of Ministers. The decision includes a list of specific requirements for states to establish effective measures to guarantee human rights in the context of the climate crisis.
Read more here
In a decision made public in April 2024, the European Court of Human Rights responded to the lawsuit filed by the Swiss Association of Older Women for Climate Protection and ruled that the Swiss state is violating the rights to private and family life of that sector of the population by not taking the necessary measures to combat the climate crisis.
This is the first time this court has ruled on the inaction of state authorities regarding global warming. The judgment establishes that the State of Switzerland has failed to meet its obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with respect to its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Therefore, the country must adjust its climate targets.
The ruling is binding and could set a precedent for the 46 member states of the Council of Europe. According to the judgment, the defendant state will determine precisely the measures it must adopt with the assistance of the Committee of Ministers. The decision includes a list of specific requirements for states to establish effective measures to guarantee human rights in the context of the climate crisis.
Read more here