The ECtHR and climate change

The Grand Chamber’s ruling in Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v Switzerland [2024] ECHR 304, handed down on Tuesday, seems to have caused a (predictable) storm – and though nothing to do with “religion” specifically, it’s potentially very important in the wider area of human rights law.

In brief, the applicants argued that the Swiss authorities had been insufficiently diligent in the area of climate‑change mitigation and that their demographic group – elderly females – was particularly vulnerable to climate-induced heatwaves; they relied on Articles 2, 6, 8 and 13 of the Convention. The Court held by sixteen votes to one that there had been a violation of Article 8 (respect for private and family life). The Judge in respect of the UK, Tim Eicke, dissented on the violation of Article 8, though he agreed with his colleagues that there had been a violation of Article 6 (right to a fair trial). Continue reading →