Climate action

After the pronouncement of the judgement before the ECtHR on 9 April 2024
Photo © Miriam Künzli / Greenpeace

We won!

A historic victory: On 9 April 2024, the Grand Chamber of the Court ruled our case that Switzerland is violating the human rights of the older women because the state is not taking the necessary steps  to combat global warming. Specifically, the court found a violation of Article 8 (right to private and family life). The Court also found that the action brought by the association, which currently represents over 2,500 women aged 64 and over, also has victim status. 

Here are the documents relating to the judgement:

Public hearing in Strasbourg on 29 March 2023

The public hearing on our complaint was held before the Grand Chamber of the ECtHR in Strasbourg on March 29, 2023. Our legal team, consisting of Cordelia Bähr, Martin Looser, Raphaël Mahaim and, since November 2022, the renowned British lawyers Jessica Simor and Marc Willers, represented us.

We are now waiting for the judgement, which will be delivered at the earliest at the end of the year.

Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland to sue Switzerland before the European Court of Human Rights

Climate change already produces extensive damage. Menacing heat waves, landslides and floods will become the norm unless we take immediate action. Scientific insights notwithstanding, Switzerland along with most other countries is not doing as much as is necessary to avert such disasters. Because governments, through their inaction, violate basic rights, more and more people around the globe are taking them to court. What’s at stake is a livable future – without climate collapse.

Objective

With our lawsuit we’re demanding that the federal authorities correct the course of Swiss climate policy because the current climate targets and measures are not sufficient to limit global warming to a safe level.

Approach

Since only people with legal standing can sue, we have formed the Climate Seniors Association. Why an association? Because that way the legal proceedings do not depend on individual persons. Why female seniors? Because older women are particularly susceptible to intense and frequent heat waves. Obviously, we are aware that older men, people with diseases as well as small children also suffer from heat waves and other climate effects. By focusing on the proven particular susceptibility of us older women we are simply enhancing our lawsuit’s chances of success which is ultimately good for everyone.

Our association counts over 2500 members and we are still looking for additional senior female plaintiffs to join our suit (ages 64 and older living in Switzerland – because women over 75 are especially at risk). Greenpeace Switzerland supports us and guarantees the costs of the proceedings so that no financial risks arise for our association and members.

Key dates

Key documents

Other articles including the Swiss case

The lawsuit is a project of the Association “KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz”. We are supported by Greenpeace Switzerland and other organisations.