Overview
- NGOs supporting the plaintiffs say this marks the first time a Swiss court has allowed a climate lawsuit against a multinational corporation to proceed.
- Four residents of Pari seek a court-ordered reduction of Holcim’s CO2 emissions, financing for local flood-protection measures, and about €15,000 in damages.
- Holcim stated it will challenge the admissibility decision and argued that courts are not the appropriate venue to address global climate change.
- Pari’s highest point is roughly 1.5 meters above sea level, the island suffered two severe floods four years ago, and large areas could be underwater by 2050.
- The case was filed in 2023 with a first hearing in September, and the Zug court has jurisdiction because Holcim’s headquarters are located there.