Strasbourg, six young people sue 32 countries (including Italy) for climate change:ECtHR trial begins

The stakes are very high:it could be the first climate case to be filed at the European Court of Human Rights

Six young Portuguese people aged between 11 and 24 are suing 32 governments for failing to tackle the man-made climate emergency.Today, 27 September, the trial begins in Strasbourg before the European Court of Human Rights.The absence of Russia, also called to appear, does not go unnoticed.It is estimated that at least 600 people will attend the hearing.80 lawyers will be present in the courtroom, representing the governments sued.The stakes, in fact, are very high considering that it could be the first climate case to be filed at the European Court of Human Rights and the largest of a total of three cases on the topic that the Court is examining.The Grand Chamber will be composed of 17 judges.

The cause

The states accused of not having respected the commitments made with the Paris climate agreement in 2015 are all 27 European countries - therefore also Italy -, in addition to Russia, Turkey, Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom.While waiting for the hearing, several signs in several languages ​​appeared in front of the Court gates in support of the action of the six young Portuguese men.Among these there are also some in Italian.“What is more beautiful than the hope of young people fighting for their future?”, says one.The idea of ​​the six boys began six years ago in 2017 following the devastating fires that burned thousands of hectares in Portugal, causing hundreds of deaths.The lawsuit was then filed in 2020 following a crowdfunding.If the dossier is deemed admissible, the decision could arrive in 2024 at best.