In a groundbreaking ruling, a group of elderly Swiss women has secured a historic victory in the European Court of Human Rights, marking the court’s first-ever decision on climate change.
The women, predominantly in their 70s, emphasized the heightened vulnerability of their age and gender to the impacts of climate-induced heatwaves.
The court’s judgment criticized Switzerland’s insufficient efforts to meet emission reduction targets, signaling a significant legal precedent.
Among the jubilant activists celebrating the verdict in Strasbourg was Swedish advocate Greta Thunberg. Reflecting on the momentous decision, Rosemarie Wydler-Walti, a key figure in the Swiss women’s group, expressed astonishment at the outcome, describing it as the utmost victory achievable.
The ruling carries binding implications, potentially shaping legislation across 46 European countries, including the UK.
Switzerland was found to have neglected its obligations under the Convention concerning climate change, with the court identifying critical deficiencies in the nation’s climate policies, notably in quantifying reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
The plaintiffs, known as KlimaSeniorinnen or Senior Women for Climate Protection, underscored their inability to withstand heatwaves and their adverse health effects, a reality observed firsthand amid Switzerland’s changing climate. The verdict coincided with data revealing March as the warmest on record globally, underscoring the urgency of climate action.
However, the court dismissed similar cases brought by Portuguese youth and a former French mayor, who argued that European governments had inadequately addressed climate change, thereby violating their rights.
Elisabeth Smart, a member of KlimaSeniorinnen, recounted witnessing firsthand the environmental transformations in Switzerland since her childhood on a farm, underscoring the personal stakes in the fight for climate justice.
