European court's climate ruling could have global impact
The political battle against climate change has, so far, largely been driven by government legislation and regulation. However, a key European Court on Human Rights (ECHR) ruling this month raises a new, potentially important legal precedent in the 46 member states of the Council of Europe.
Some eight years ago, KlimaSeniorinnen (Swiss Elders for Climate Protection, a group of 2,000 Swiss women all over the age of 64) filed legal action against their government for failing to take stronger action against climate change. On April 9, the ECHR in Strasbourg (which is unrelated to the EU) surprised the Swiss Government by upholding the lawsuit — which was backed by the Greenpeace NGO — by making an approximately 300-page ruling that insufficient measures against global warming infringes the human rights of the female senior citizens involved in the case.
A sign of the importance of the case is that it was heard by the 17 judges of the so-called Grand Chamber. This is the ECHR’s most prestigious chamber and it ruled 16-1 in favour of KlimaSeniorinnen.
Swiss President Viola Amherd expressed surprise at the decision. She asserted that sustainability, biodiversity and net zero are key goals for Switzerland. However, Swiss politicians are divided on the ruling. The Swiss People’s Party and Centre parties are critical........
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