Historic verdict could link climate crisis and human rights

In a much-anticipated ruling, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg will decide on Tuesday whether Swiss authorities are responsible for not implementing efficient climate change policies and violating the right to life of a group of elderly women in Switzerland. The verdict could set a precedent and have worldwide repercussions. The 100 or so members of the Swiss association “Senior Women for Climate Protection”, which filed the suit against the Swiss government, have all travelled to Strasbourg for the ruling. It comes eight years after they called on the Swiss federal government to adopt more ambitious emissions reduction targets, and a series of defeats in the Swiss courts. On Tuesday, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will deliver its verdict on the lawsuit launched by the Swiss association and four plaintiffs. This is the first time in its history that the ECHR has to rule on the impacts of climate change on citizens’ fundamental rights.