Skip to content

European court hears first citizen complaints over climate inaction

The European Court of Human Rights heard two climate cases brought by citizens against Swiss and French authorities complaining they must do more to reduce carbon emissions.

The European Court of Human Rights is handling three separate climate complaints against Switzerland, France and Portugal
The European Court of Human Rights is handling three separate climate complaints against Switzerland, France and Portugal (AN/Mika Baumeister/Unsplash)

On a momentous day for international legal action against climate change, the European Court of Human Rights heard the first two of three cases challenging nations to do more to curb their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Strasbourg, France-based court heard two climate cases Wednesday against Swiss and French authorities – on the same day the U.N. General Assembly agreed to ask the International Court of Justice at The Hague for an unprecedented legal opinion on the consequences of climate inaction.

This article is for paying subscribers only

Join now

Already have an account? Log in

Latest