Every time a landmark decision is reached in court, its repercussions extend far beyond imagination. Within the judicial system, it's not only the law itself that shapes the outcome, but also the precedent set by previous interpretations in similar cases.
With this in mind, we are thrilled to share the ground-breaking news of the first-ever victory in a climate case at the European Court of Human Rights. Specifically, we refer to the case Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland, which centered on Switzerland's perceived inaction concerning climate change.
In particular Switzerland is being accused of:
- “critical gaps in the process of putting in place the relevant domestic regulatory framework.
- a failure by the Swiss authorities to quantify, through a carbon budget or otherwise, national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limitations
- failure to meet its past GHG emission reduction target”
The general conclusion has been that “the Swiss authorities had not acted in time and in an appropriate way to devise, develop and implement relevant legislation and measures in this case”
While we're not singling out any particular country, as few, if any, are adequately addressing climate change, we hope this court decision serves as a catalyst for more substantial discussions and, importantly, the implementation of effective measures. We urge you to delve into the full verdict, as it raises thought-provoking points worthy of consideration.
