Amnesty International Reports on Key Climate Rulings by European Court

– Amnesty International has released a briefing analyzing three significant climate rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), focusing on cases involving older Swiss women, young Portuguese activists, and a former French mayor. The briefing highlights the case of Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland, marking the Court's first substantive directive on states' responsibilities to protect human rights amid escalating climate challenges. In the Swiss case, older women claimed that their health was adversely affected by heatwaves, leading the Court to determine that Switzerland's insufficient measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions violated their right to private and family life. The ruling emphasized that Switzerland failed to consider scientific evidence regarding global temperature increases and did not implement effective strategies to mitigate climate-related harm to its citizens. Amnesty International's Head of Strategic Litigation, Mandi Mudarikwa, underscored the importance of strategic litigation in holding governments accountable for their climate responsibilities. However, following the ECtHR ruling, the Swiss parliament voted on June 12, 2024, to largely disregard the Court's decision, prompting concerns about the implications for the rule of law in Switzerland and Europe. As the Swiss government prepares to outline its response to the ruling, Mudarikwa expressed disappointment over the parliamentary vote, stressing that compliance with ECtHR decisions is legally binding and essential for upholding human rights. The recent rulings contribute to a growing body of international law emphasizing states' obligations to protect human rights in the face of the climate crisis.