Klimatická žaloba ČR v. Czech Republic (ECtHR)

Czech NGO Klimatická žaloba ČR filed an application to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming that the Czech Republic’s climate policies are in breach of its human rights obligations, based on the Czech Climate Protection Policy's lack of binding force. Applicants claim that the respondent State breached article 8 of the Convention (right to respect for private and family life) by failing to produce a binding framework climate law, binding national carbon budgets, interim emissions reduction targets in line with the 1.5 degree Celsius temperature target, and a commitment to climate neutrality, The applicants further alleges that Article 6 of the Convention (right to a fair trial) has been breached in the related domestic proceedings. They allege that their right to access to court had been rendered illusory, and their right to a proper statement of reasons for the decision was breached because the domestic courts had not given careful consideration to the issues raised. They also allege that Article 13 of the Convention (right to an effective remedy), in conjunction with Article 8 of the Convention, was breached, as there was no effective remedy available for the alleged inaction on climate change. The applicant also claims that the case should be given priority status because the Czech Republic’s fair share of the global carbon budget was already exhausted in 2021. For the domestic proceedings, see the domestic case entry with the same name.