The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has made a sensational decision in a case directly related to state inaction in combating climate change. The lawsuit was filed by about 2000 activists from the organization “Elders for Climate Protection”, over the age of 70 years. Snob.ru reports this with reference to Reuters.

Women complained that their age made them particularly vulnerable to the heat, forcing them to limit their time outside, which had a negative impact on their health and well-being. At the same time, every year the number of such days only increases due to climate change. Activists demanded that the state take responsibility for this problem.

The court, having examined the case, sided with the pensioners, ruling that Switzerland had not fulfilled its obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby violating the article of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding respect for private and family life.

As compensation for costs and expenses, the ECHR ordered the Swiss authorities to pay pensioners about 80 thousand euros.

This ruling was the first in the history of the ECHR regarding “climate inaction”. Now courts in European countries will have to follow the precedent.