Portugal

The European Court of Human Rights delivered rulings on three climate cases in a pivotal week for environmental justice. In the landmark Swiss case, a group of elderly women argued that their government’s inadequate climate efforts, despite the clear scientific evidence, exposed them to a heightened risk of death during heatwaves, constituting a violation of their human rights. The court agreed, explicitly linking climate action to human rights protections for the first time. The ruling affirms that cutting emissions is a legal duty of states and sets an important precedent for future climate litigation. The court dismissed the other two cases on procedural grounds rather than on their merits. Six Portuguese youth, who sought to hold Portugal and 32 other countries accountable for failing to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement, were told they must first exhaust legal avenues in their home country. A case brought by the former mayor of Grande-Synthe was also ruled inadmissible after he moved away from the municipality. While these cases demonstrate the complex legal landscape of international environmental law and human rights, the Swiss women’s successful case highlights the critical role women are playing in advancing climate justice through the courts. Campaigners hope the landmark victory will inspire similar legal strategies around the world and build momentum for stronger climate accountability. The decision shines a spotlight on the judiciary’s vital role in addressing climate change, while affirming that women’s leadership and advocacy can help pave the way for future legal action to protect both human rights and the environment in the era of climate change.