At Nordic Right, we are committed to advocating for and upholding human rights across the Nordic Region and beyond. We firmly believe that safeguarding the environment and addressing climate change is an integral part of protecting human rights. Therefore, we stand in solidarity with the brave young activists who are taking a landmark climate change case to the European Court of Human Rights.
Sofia Oliveira, who was only 12 years old when devastating wildfires ravaged central Portugal in 2017, has joined forces with five other young Portuguese individuals, ranging from ages 11 to 24, to file a groundbreaking case against 32 European governments. This historic case asserts that these governments have violated their human rights by failing to adequately address climate change, marking the first climate change case to be filed with the European Court of Human Rights.
Victory for these courageous young activists could serve as a turning point, compelling governments to take decisive actions to significantly reduce emissions and build cleaner infrastructure. The rulings of the European Court of Human Rights are legally binding on its member countries, and non-compliance could result in substantial fines.
The importance of legal avenues for holding governments accountable for their environmental commitments cannot be overstated. Recent events, including a case in the U.S. state of Montana, where state agencies were found in violation of the constitutional right to a clean environment, highlight the growing role of courts in addressing climate-related issues.
Sofia and her fellow activists have dedicated six years to this cause, gathering mountains of legal documents and navigating challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. What has driven them is the undeniable evidence of a worsening climate crisis. Coastal erosion near Sofia and André’s home in Portugal, soaring temperatures, and declining rainfall are stark indicators of the environmental challenges they face.
Scientific evidence supports the claims made by these young activists, as the world witnesses record-breaking temperatures and an alarming trend of climate change-related events. The global community remains far from meeting the commitments outlined in the 2015 Paris climate accord.
The impacts detailed by the Portuguese activists, including difficulties sleeping, concentrating, and health issues exacerbated by heat and air pollution, underscore the urgency of addressing climate change as a human rights issue.
Nordic Rights stands in solidarity with the Global Legal Action Network, an international nonprofit organization supporting these activists. We are heartened by the global outpouring of support, which includes messages of encouragement from around the world.
Governments must recognize that climate change is not a mere policy matter; it is a pressing human rights issue that demands immediate and comprehensive action. The recent actions of some European governments, such as Poland’s legal challenges to EU climate policies and the delay of a ban on new gas and diesel cars in the UK, underscore the necessity of judicial recourse.
The courts have become a crucial means for holding governments accountable for their climate commitments. The increasing number of climate change-related cases worldwide, as documented by the London School of Economics, highlights the growing importance of legal action in addressing the climate crisis.
While the verdict in this case may take up to 18 months, the activists draw inspiration from the precedent set by the Urgenda Foundation in the Netherlands. This landmark case compelled the Dutch government to take significant steps to combat climate change after the courts found that their emissions reduction targets were insufficient.
Nordic Rights calls upon governments worldwide to heed the voices of young activists and climate scientists. Climate change is not a matter of political convenience; it is a matter of human rights, and the courts have a vital role to play in ensuring governments fulfill their obligations.
