In 2016, the KlimaSeniorinnen – an association of over 2,000 senior Swiss women – launched a legal challenge against their government, alleging that inadequate climate policies violated their fundamental human rights. After years of dismissals in domestic courts, the group secured a landmark victory at the European Court of Human Rights in April 2024. The ruling was unprecedented, marking the first time an international court has recognized that state climate inaction constitutes a human rights violation.

In this episode of Climate Court Voices, we sit down with Elisabeth Stern, a cultural anthropologist and board member of KlimaSeniorinnen. Elisabeth shares the group's journey from grassroots organization to legal pioneers, detailing the dismissals they faced at home and the ongoing uphill battle to ensure the Swiss government turns this historic judgment into tangible climate action.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:10) Who is Elisabeth Stern?

(04:15) KlimaSeniorinnen v Swiss government

(06:10) Bringing their case to Europe's top human rights court

(09:33) Court finds human rights violations

(12:45) Breaking down the verdict

(14:23) Overwhelming support abroad

(15:15) Dismissal at home

(17:29) Struggle for accountability

(20:40) Outreach efforts

(23:23) A blueprint for future climate court cases