Elderly Swiss women win European prize for landmark climate case

A group of elderly women in Switzerland, whose landmark case led to a historic ruling against Switzerland by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in 2024, have won the Council of Europe’s Prize for Democratic Innovation.

The work of the Swiss Climate Seniors Association was recognised at a major forum in Strasbourg.

More

More

Landmark ruling: Switzerland’s climate policy violates human rights

This content was published on

Apr 9, 2024


The European Court of Human Rights says the Swiss authorities are responsible for not implementing efficient climate change policies and for violating the right to life of a group of elderly women.

Read more: Landmark ruling: Switzerland’s climate policy violates human rights

The association came to prominence in April 2024 when it won a case against Switzerland at the ECHR, in what was widely seen as a landmark ruling on climate justice. Judges in Strasbourg found that the country had failed to meet its obligations to protect people from the effects of climate change.

The Council of Europe praised the group’s democratic and legal campaign as an example of how citizens can use public institutions to hold public authorities to account.

+ Is the climate crisis a threat to human rights?

The association’s campaign drew on scientific evidence, public awareness work and legal action, backed by lawyers, researchers and Greenpeace Switzerland.

“One of the biggest threats to democracy today is the feeling among many people that their voice does not matter,” said Tanja Gonggrijp, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, at the award ceremony, according to a press release issued Tuesday. “But all your initiatives show that when citizens get involved, they can bring about real change in their communities,” she added.

More

Opinion

More

Climate solutions

Swiss climate hearing to make history at Europe’s top human rights court

This content was published on

Mar 27, 2023


A climate action before the European Court of Human Rights taken by a Swiss association could create a legal precedent.

Read more: Swiss climate hearing to make history at Europe’s top human rights court

A total of 21 initiatives were assessed during the World Forum for Democracy, which brought together 1,400 participants from 60 countries. Three projects were shortlisted for the final vote, including the Swiss activists’ campaign.

The other finalists were the UK project Creating Change, which focuses on social justice and public services, and Morocco’s Lab Citoyen, which promotes democratic participation in the digital age.

+ How we produce news in English

Translated from Italian, reviewed by an English Department journalist.