Senior citizens sued

Switzerland condemned for lack of climate protection

European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg

(Bild: dpa/Rolf Haid)

In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has condemned Switzerland for failing to protect the climate. 17 judges ruled in favor of a group of senior citizens who had accused the government of not doing enough to protect the climate.  

Four senior citizens and the association "KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz" had filed a lawsuit. The country violated Article 8 ("Right to respect for private and family life") of the European Convention on Human Rights, the judges ruled by 16 votes to one.

The Swiss authorities had failed to react to climate change in a timely and appropriate manner, according to a statement from the ECtHR. In addition, the applicants had not had sufficient opportunity to take legal action before national courts.

Amherd: "I am interested in the reasoning"
In an initial reaction, Swiss President Viola Amherd expressed her surprise at the ECtHR ruling. "I am interested in the reasoning", she said at a joint press conference with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in Vienna.

Sustainability, biodiversity and the net zero target are "very important" to Switzerland. She is therefore looking forward to reading the details of the ruling and will issue a statement afterwards.

Greenpeace delighted: "Important step!"
 "The court has recognized the threat to human rights posed by the climate crisis and says that the Swiss courts have not dealt with it enough," Greenpeace Austria is pleased to say. "This is an important step in the fight for more climate protection in Europe."

According to experts, the Strasbourg rulings could be a turning point in the fight against climate change in the run-up to the decisions. This is because the rulings could force governments to adopt a more ambitious climate policy.