No longer just protests in the streets: in Switzerland, hundreds of lawyers are using the law as a weapon to fight climate change, taking governments and companies to court.
As the world debates climate goals and ecological transition, An unprecedented legal battle is being fought in Switzerland. Over 300 lawyers have decided to put their skills at the service of the planet, helping citizens to sue governments and companies deemed responsible for climate inaction.
Born in 2021, “Lawyers for the Climate” is an association that brings together lawyers, university professors and doctoral students with a common objective: to reverse the trend that sees climate activists in the dock and give a voice to those suffering the consequences of climate change . In a country like Switzerland, with a strong tradition of direct democracy and civic participation, This initiative represents a significant evolution in the fight against the climate.
“We want to move from defense to attack,” he explains Tali Paschoudlawyer and member of the “Lawyers for the Climate” committee. “Too often, climate activists end up being accused of crimes. We want to give individuals the tools to assert their rights and force those responsible to act.”
And the first results can already be seen. Among the most significant cases is the lawsuit brought by a group of farmers against the federal Department of the Environment, accused of not doing enough to combat global warming which threatens their crops. Another victory concerns the complaint filed against FIFA for “greenwashing” in relation to the World Cup in Qatar: the association disputed FIFA’s claim that the World Cup they would have been “carbon neutral”obtaining a condemnation from the Swiss Commission for Commercial Loyalty.
But “Climate Lawyers” is not limited to single causes. The association offers free legal assistance to all citizens who intend to take legal action against those who, through their inaction or practices harmful to the environment, contributes to the climate crisis. An initiative that is also inspired by the historic ruling of the European Court of Human Rights which, last April, condemned Switzerland for its inaction on climate change, recognizing the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental right.
“This ruling paves the way for new legal actions against states that do not commit sufficiently to fighting climate change,” underlines Paschoud. “We believe that our role is fundamental to give substance to the right to a clean and sustainable environment“.
Funded exclusively through donations“Lawyers for the climate” represents a concrete example of how the law can be an effective tool for protecting the environment. A powerful weapon in the hands of citizens, because the battle for the future of the planet can also be won in court.
