In a landmark decision, an international court in France ruled that Switzerland’s inadequate response to the climate crisis violated human rights.

The ruling, made by the European Court of Human Rights, came in response to a case filed by over 2,000 Swiss women, mainly in their 70s, who argued that climate change-induced heat waves were endangering their health and quality of life.

The court found that Switzerland’s failure to enact sufficient legislation to reduce emissions and meet climate targets infringed upon the women’s rights to protection from the adverse effects of climate change.

This decision, the first of its kind by the court, is legally binding and could have widespread implications for similar cases worldwide, CNN has reported.

It may prompt other countries to reassess their climate targets and accelerate efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption.

While two other climate-related claims were dismissed, the ruling sets a precedent for future climate litigation in international courts.

Written by B.C. Begley