Groundbreaking Climate Inaction Human Rights Lawsuit Against Swiss Govt. w Alexandra Allen-Franks - April 11, 2024

This week, the European Human Rights Court made a historic ruling on climate change, concluding that the Swiss government had violated the human rights of its citizens by failing to take sufficient action to combat climate change. The case was raised by the group, Klimaseniorinnen, a collective of more than 2000 Swiss women aged over 64, who claimed government inaction on climate put them at increased risk of dying during heatwaves, a vulnerability exacerbated by their age and gender demographics. 

Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Alexander Allen-Franks, Co-Director of the NZ Centre for Human Rights Law, Policy and Practice on what this case means for accountability on climate action for vulnerable communities.