The Swiss government announced today that it will analyse the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which has vindicated a group of elderly Swiss women who had appealed against their country’s government, complaining of “the failure of the Swiss authorities to limit the effects of climate change”, which are having a negative impact on their living conditions and health.

The Federal Office of Justice, which represents the Swiss government in court, has taken note of the ruling, the government said, adding: “Together with the competent authorities, we will analyse the decision in detail and review what measures Switzerland will take in the future.”

For her part, President Viola Amherd today declined to comment in detail on the ruling on the grounds that she must first read it, but pointed out that climate policy is a top priority.

“I want to know what the arguments for this are.

Sustainability is very important for Switzerland, biodiversity is very important for Switzerland, the target of zero (gas) emissions is very important for Switzerland. We are working on these and will continue to work tirelessly.

The decision does not change this,” the Swiss president said at a joint press conference with her Austrian counterpart.

The ECtHR’s condemnation of Switzerland “is only the beginning in terms of climate disputes”, commented Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

“This is just the beginning in terms of climate litigation: all over the world, more and more people are taking their governments to court to account for their actions.

Under no circumstances should we back down, we must win even more because this is only the beginning,” she said from Strasbourg after the historic hearing.

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“We will use every tool at our disposal, the climate justice movement has used different methods for decades, repeating the same message over and over again, and as we can see, emissions are still increasing, still moving in the wrong direction. We will not give up,” he continued.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) today for the first time condemned a state, Switzerland, for violating the European Convention on Human Rights, ruling in favour of an association of elderly women who turned against their country for its inaction to fight climate change.

It is the first time that the Court, which enforces the European Convention on Human Rights, has condemned a state for its lack of initiatives to combat climate change.