Swiss lawmakers reject climate ruling in favour of female climate elders

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🗞️ Driving the news: Swiss lawmakers have rejected a European Court of Human Rights ruling that found Switzerland's climate policies violated the rights of older women
• The Swiss lower house voted 111 to 72 against the ruling, arguing that the court had overreached.

🔭 The context: The ruling came after the KlimaSeniorinnen, a group of women over 65, sued the government for inadequate climate action
• The case highlighted the vulnerability of older women to heatwaves, intensified by climate change.

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Ignoring the ruling could set a precedent for other countries to disregard international climate-related human rights judgments
• This undermines global efforts to hold nations accountable for climate action.

⏭️ What's next: The decision puts the Swiss federal government in a challenging position as it prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of its ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights in November
• The debate around this ruling may influence future climate litigation and policy compliance across Europe.

💬 One quote: "The declaration is a betrayal of us older women – and of all those who are suffering from the real consequences of global warming today and in the future," said Rosmarie Wydler-Wälti, co-president of the KlimaSeniorinnen.

📈 One stat: A study found that 60% of heatwave deaths in Switzerland in summer 2022 were due to climate change, with older women being the hardest hit.

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