International Climate Litigation in 2024: An Overview of the Legal Positions of the ECtHR and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (in Russian)

The number of climate-related cases continues to grow, and 2024 became a landmark year in this regard: for the first time, international judicial bodies issued rulings addressing the issue of climate change. 

On 9 April 2024, the European Court of Human Rights heard the complaint filed by the organisation Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland and determined that the state’s failure to fulfil its climate obligations constitutes a violation of human rights. On 21 May 2024, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea issued an advisory opinion on a request by the Commission of Small Island States on International Law and Climate Change (COSIS). The Tribunal recognised anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions as marine pollution under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

This analytical material provides an overview of both decisions and offers a brief commentary on their key legal aspects. It will be of particular interest to legal professionals, policymakers, researchers, and anyone seeking to stay informed about the evolving landscape of climate change litigation.