By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - A Swiss court has admitted a climate lawsuit filed by residents of a low-lying Indonesian island against Swiss cement maker Holcim, marking a first for climate litigation against a major corporation in Switzerland, according to a local media report on Monday.
Swissinfo reported that the case was brought by four residents of Pari Island, near Jakarta, who argue that rising sea levels linked to climate change are threatening their homes and livelihoods. They accuse Holcim, one of the world’s largest cement producers, of contributing to global warming through its carbon emissions and of failing to reduce them quickly enough.
The Zug Cantonal Court ruled that the lawsuit is admissible, according to Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), which supports the plaintiffs. The court has not yet ruled on whether Holcim bears legal responsibility for climate damage affecting the island.
In a statement cited by Swissinfo, Holcim acknowledged the decision and said it plans to appeal. The company has argued that courts are not the appropriate venue to address climate change and that such issues should be decided by policymakers.
The judges rejected that view at this stage, noting that court decisions can complement, rather than replace, climate policy.
Although the decision breaks new ground in Switzerland, it reflects a broader international shift. Courts around the world are increasingly being asked to rule on climate responsibility, with thousands of climate-related cases currently underway across dozens of countries. Last summer, the International Court of Justice recognized climate protection as a human right, reinforcing the international momentum.