Política

32 European states are brought to justice for their inaction on climate change

The trial, which will begin on September 27 in Strasbourg, in eastern France, represents "a unique case" in terms of "the number of States" accused. A lawyer for the plaintiffs believes that the ruling will allow "accelerating efforts to reduce climate change."

  • 22/09/2023 • 08:06

More than 30 States will be brought before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) for their inaction against global warming, a case promoted by six young Portuguese people that could create precedents at the level of climate justice.

 

The trial, which will begin on September 27 in Strasbourg, in eastern France, represents "a unique case" in terms of "the number of States" accused, according to a source at the ECtHR, cited by the AFP news agency. .

 

These young Portuguese want to bring the 27 countries of the European Union (EU), in addition to Russia, Turkey, Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom, before the ECHR. Initially, in 2020, Ukraine was also among the defendant states, but was removed following the Russian invasion of its territory.

 

The decision of the ECHR, which will be published in a few months, will be of vital importance given that the rulings of this court establish jurisprudence and are binding on the 46 members of the Council of Europe, from which Russia was expelled in 2022.

 

Gerry Liston, lawyer for the plaintiffs, believes that the ruling will allow "accelerating the efforts of States to reduce climate change."

 

"From a legal point of view, this would change things" in terms of climate justice, added the lawyer, a member of the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), the British NGO that supports young plaintiffs