In a significant legal development, the European Court of Human Rights ruled, for the very first time, on the responsibility of the state concerning climate change. This ruling, delivered on September 6, 2024, marks an unprecedented shift in the recognition of climate change as a human rights issue by one of the world’s most influential judicial bodies.
Reports of this landmark ruling have come in the midst of a period of rapid change within Africa’s legal community, as was highlighted at the African Legal Awards.
Unfortunately, the details of the ruling lie behind a paywall, limiting the amount of information available to the general public. Readers interested in the exact legal ramifications and impacted jurisdictions are encouraged to access the original article if they possess the appropriate subscription.
As additional details become publicly available, we will continue keeping our readership of legal professionals abreast of the changes this ground-breaking ruling may bring about in international policy making and its potential effects on corporate legal responsibilities.