A Landmark Climate Decision: Verein Klimaseniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland and the New Standard for Victim Status

Abstract

This article explores the landmark decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland, addressing climate change within the framework of human rights. It critically examines the evolving standards for victim status, highlighting the Court’s contentious recognition of an NGO as a victim under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The discussion delves into the severity threshold for environmental harm and the complexities of attributing state responsibility for climate change. The analysis underscores the tension between legal interpretation and policy-making, raising important questions about the limits of judicial intervention in global climate governance.