Climate change: Switzerland condemned for the first time by the European Court of Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Tuesday condemned Switzerland for violating the Human Rights Convention by ruling in favor of an association of elderly women who had criticized the country’s inaction in the face of climate change.

This is the first time that the Court, which enforces the European Convention on Human Rights, has condemned a state for its lack of initiatives to combat climate change.

The request was submitted by the Swiss association “Seniors for Climate Protection” (2,500 women with an average age of 73) and four of its members, who also developed individual requests. They condemn the “failure of the Swiss authorities to mitigate the effects of climate change”, which they say has negative consequences for their living conditions and health.