European Court rules Swiss government violated human rights in landmark climate case

In a landmark ruling with far-reaching implications, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has declared that the Swiss government failed in its duty to combat climate change effectively, thereby violating the human rights of its citizens. The verdict, announced on Tuesday, represents a significant victory for over 2,000 Swiss women, known as KlimaSeniorinnen, who brought the case to court.

The ruling, delivered by Court President Siofra O’Leary, emphasized the Swiss government’s failure to meet its own targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to establish a national carbon budget. O’Leary highlighted the dire consequences of present inaction on climate change, warning that future generations are likely to bear the brunt of these failures.