The Swiss Federal Council addressed the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling on climate protection during its meeting on August 28, 2024. The Council confirmed Switzerland’s commitment to the Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). However, it critically viewed the ECHR’s interpretation regarding climate protection, similar to the positions of both the National Council and the Council of States. The Federal Council believes that Switzerland already meets the climate-related requirements of the ruling and rejects extending the right of associations to file complaints on climate issues.

On April 9, 2024, the ECHR ruled on the case brought by a Swiss group advocating for stronger climate action, expanding the scope of the ECHR to include protection from climate change impacts and affirming the right of associations to lodge climate complaints.

Switzerland’s Federal Council stated that recent Swiss climate policies, including the revised CO2 Act of March 2024, were not considered in the ECHR’s decision. The Council believes extending the right to climate-related complaints could hinder essential infrastructure projects. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) is tasked with reporting on the implications of this ruling by the end of 2025 and will update the Council of Europe on Switzerland’s response to the decision.

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