Sehr versprechend und rechtzeitig. Meine Reaktion: bsky.app/profile/duyc...

14/14 🔗📑 link to the decision communicated today: shorturl.at/hKPIo
ℹ️ additional information about the Asmania and others v. Holcim case: callforclimatejustice.org
✊⚖️ best of luck to the plaintiffs for their courageous struggle!
❓What do YOU think of this decision communicated today?

13/ The company cannot pretend that it is unclear what is expected of it. The fact that some of the decision related to its operations involve subsidiaries does not shield the company from accountability.

12/ That climate change affects everyone does not take away the personal cause for action of the plaintiffs in this case, as they clearly demonstrated the harm that they are suffering... The global nature of the climate crisis does not deprive individual from access to justice.

11/ The judges then rejected the argument that the claims were frivolous as they "arbitrarily" singled out one of the perpetrators of climate harm. The judges confirmed that it is up to the victim to decide against whom they seek remedy, one cannot hide behind other perpetrators.

10/ In particular, the tribunal rejected the polluting industry's tired argument that climate change is a political matter and consequently must not be considered by courts. The tribunal reaffirmed that individuals must also benefit access to remedy in climate matters.

9/ 🔍 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬. The 52-page-long ruling delivered today is very comprehensive and offers a point-by-point rebuttal of many of the usual legal defence used by polluters in courts around the planet. Here are some key extracts...

8/ Building on recent case law, the ruling confirms that civil liability of major emitters can be engaged for climate harms they knowingly contributed to. Its significance extends beyond Switzerland, providing one more precedent that undermines the polluters' legal strategies.

7/🧑‍⚖️ 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧. By accepting the case as admissible, judges confirmed that the law applies to climate harms and rejected all arguments aimed at shielding major polluters from accountability.

6/ ⚖️ 🌐 What is at sake. Holcim sought dismissal at admissibility stage, arguing that climate-related misconduct and harm should not be subject to judicial review. The plaintiffs, by contrast, argued that nothing in the law grants climate polluters immunity from the civil law.

5/🙈The controversy: At the court hearing, a few minutes after the lead plaintiff had testify about the impacts of climate change on her family, Holcim’s legal representatives publicly mocked the plaintiffs’ case by offering them CHF 4 to settle, throwing 4 coins on the lectern.

4/ ✊The claims: the plaintiffs demand that Holcim:
📉 aligns its plans with science-based targets compatible with 1.5°C target,
💰 pay proportional contribution to adaptation measures on Pari Island,
💶 compensate for #LossAndDamage already occurring

3/ 🔍 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞. 🏝️Four Indonesian fishers from Pari Island have brought a claim before the Cantonal Tribunal of Zug against Swiss cement conglomerate Holcim, one of the world’s largest corporate contributors to GHG emissions, responsible for twice as much CO₂ as 🇨🇭 Switzerland

2/ 🥥 𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥: 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐚𝐰. the judges confirm that climate polluters cannot be above the law.
🙌 Congratulations to Cordelia Bähr and to @hekseperworld.bsky.social, @ecchr.bsky.social &
WALHI for supporting the plaintiffs in their pursuit of justice.

"Climate & environmental policies must not create new harms for vulnerable communities or be weaponized in the shift to a fossil-free world."

@duycks.bsky.social of @ciel.org stresses the need to advance a #JustTransition while remaining anchored in #HumanRights obligations.

Since the 2024 judgment, the Council of Europe has been overseeing Switzerland’s climate action.
Today’s decision points to ongoing gaps and calls on Swiss authorities to report back on further progress in 2026.