DeepSummary
The episode features a historic European Court of Human Rights ruling on climate change that could advance climate action across 46 countries. A group of elderly Swiss women argued for nearly a decade that Switzerland's weak climate policies violated their human rights. The court agreed, and activists are thrilled by this binding precedent-setting decision.
Legal experts explain the ruling's significance and how it builds on previous climate litigation cases in Europe. The court found that human rights apply to climate change impacts, states must aim for net-zero emissions by 2050, and Switzerland failed to protect citizens from climate change's effects. This could influence cases worldwide and pressure companies to reduce emissions.
The Swiss women share personal stories about suffering health impacts from more extreme heat waves due to climate change. While in their 70s when the case started, they were motivated to fight for future generations. Their victory celebrates perseverance and using the legal system for societal voices often shut out of politics.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- A group of elderly Swiss women won a groundbreaking climate case against Switzerland in the European Court of Human Rights.
- The court ruled that human rights must be protected from climate change impacts, setting binding precedents across 46 countries.
- Governments must now set targets and policies to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 to comply.
- The landmark decision could influence climate litigation worldwide and pressure companies to reduce emissions faster.
- The personal stories of the elderly women suffering heat wave impacts crystallized how climate change violates human rights.
- While in their 70s when filing, the women fought for future generations facing greater climate risks.
- The case built on previous successful climate litigation in countries like the Netherlands and Germany.
- Legal experts hailed using the courts to amplify societal voices shut out of politics on this urgent global issue.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “It's just unbelievable. I mean, we not just won our case, we won one.“ by Elizabeth Stern
- “So the court has found that, firstly, really importantly, climate change is not a problem, that is outside of its capacity and its jurisdiction, so it can decide questions of this nature. And it's also found that human rights apply to the problem of climate change.“ by Sophie Marjanek
- “There are now more and more studies testifying that older people, specifically older women, suffered the most during heat waves. They die more often, actually.“ by Elizabeth Stern
- “We know statistically in ten years we are gone. So whatever we do now, we are not doing for ourselves, but for the children of our children, of our children.“ by Elizabeth Stern
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Episode Information
The Global Story
BBC World Service
4/18/24
For nearly a decade, they argued that Switzerland’s weak climate policies violated their human rights. Their victory – the first of its kind in the European Court of Human Rights – sets a precedent 46 countries must now follow. Our climate reporter, Georgina Rannard, has been covering the case for years. She shares the women’s personal stories, while climate lawyer Sophie Marjanac explains what it could mean for those seeking climate justice everywhere.
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This episode was made by Laurie Kalus, Alix Pickles and Neal Razzell. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor was Sam Bonham.