Sign in Join

Your Climate Action Diary - 61

Year 2024 • Week 16 • Anushthatri Sharma
Hi,
 
Hope you are well.

Recent strides in climate action have emerged from courtrooms ! 

On April 6, India's Supreme Court broadened Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Protection of Life and Personal Liberty) to encompass a “Right to be free from adverse effects of climate change." Shortly after, on April 9, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of Swiss women activists, citing Switzerland Government’s failure to protect their human rights by “failing to do enough to combat the adverse effects of climate change” & meet its GHG targets. 

If you give yourself a moment, you will realise how these rulings have the power to shift climate-action from political discretion to legal obligations; besides empowering more communities around the world to legally challenge their governments over insufficient climate measures.

Regards,

Harish 
(Team OnePointFive) 

P.S. Meanwhile, carbon emissions continue to rise.

India's Apex Court Recognised 'Right Aganist Climate Change'

The Supreme Court of India in a landmark verdict broadened Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Protection of Life and Personal Liberty) to encompass a “Right to be free from adverse effects of climate change." The arguments were a part of a verdict by a three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud hearing a case on the conservation of the great India bustard and the lesser florican. The verdict for the first time delineates the role of climate mitigation as independent from ecological conservation.

Greenhouse Gas Levels Hit Record Highs in 2023

Latest data released by NOAA showed that the concentrations of the three key Greenhouse Gases - Carbon Dioxide, Methane & Nitrous Oxide - hit record highs in 2023. CO2 levels (419.3ppm) are now 50% higher than pre-industrial times, while methane levels (1,992.6ppm) are 162% higher. The new findings have caused concern - particularly due to the link of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations to rising global temperatures. Scientists have warned of a nearing tipping point for climate change.

European Court Lands Verdict Against Swiss Government On Climate Change

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in a landmark verdict called out the failure of the Switzerland Govt. to protect its citizen's human rights by 'failing to do enough to combat the adverse effects of climate change' & meet its GHG targets. The case was brought forward by over 2000 Swiss Women activists (known as KlimaSeniorinnen) - a third of them over the age of 75. The verdict is first of its kind !

Cookies Consent

We use cookies to personalise your content, and provide a better experience. By using our platform and services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our cookie policy.