In a stark verdict this week, a top European court declared that Switzerland, famed for its snow-capped peaks and fresh Alpine atmosphere, has fallen short in safeguarding its citizens against the impacts of climate change.
Despite its picturesque facade, critics argue that Switzerland has not done enough to combat climate change and has served as a financial hub for major international corporations in fossil fuels and mining.
The ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has drawn attention to Switzerland`s entrenched conservatism and its political system, which relies heavily on popular referendums, making reform efforts challenging.
The court ruled in favor of more than 2,000 Swiss women, a significant number of whom are elderly, who voiced concerns that their government`s inaction in addressing rising temperatures exposes them to heightened risks during heatwaves.
"This ruling cannot be appealed," stated the Swiss Federal Office of Justice, which represented the government before the court, emphasizing the necessity of implementing the court`s decision.
Following the ruling, the Swiss Green Party swiftly called for industry-specific climate targets, especially targeting the financial sector. Lisa Mazzone, the party leader, highlighted Switzerland`s significant involvement in commodity trading and its robust financial sector, which heavily invests in fossil fuels.
Switzerland`s prominence in commodity trading is evident, with Swiss-based companies handling a substantial portion of global oil and metal trades.
The ruling has sparked debate regarding Switzerland`s role in global industry, particularly in terms of its financial muscle and carbon footprint. Environmental groups have intensified pressure on the financial sector, urging it to reduce climate-damaging transactions.
Moreover, the ruling mandates Switzerland to revise its emissions reduction targets for 2030 in alignment with the Paris Agreement`s goals. It also criticized the country for failing to meet its own greenhouse gas reduction targets and neglecting to establish a national carbon budget.
