Public health role in litigation to address climate change

In 2023, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights commenced hearing its first climate case, KlimaSeniorinnen v. Switzerland, which deals with the impact of climate change on the elderly. Public health expertise to provide evidence of the health impacts of climate change in Europe is increasingly sought for such litigation. In November 2023, the European Public Health Association (EUPHA), the Faculty of Public Health (UK), the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health (Netherlands) and other partners launched From Analysis to Action: Climate Change Litigation. A Guide for Public Health Professionals. (…)

The Guide is intended to introduce public health professionals to the concept of climate change litigation and explain how their expertise can contribute to making a legal case against private sector polluters or intransigent governments. Its content draws on suggestions made by World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) member organizations and public health experts through an on-line survey of representatives of national public health associations of WFPHA member countries and other public health professionals. The survey assessed the level of engagement and the interest shared by respondents in climate change issues and their current level of cooperation with local legal expertise. (…)

With much of the decision-making in many countries going in the wrong direction to counter climate change, new initiatives are needed to make things happen. Litigation is one initiative taking momentum, and the Guide may help public health professionals to navigate in this field.