Swiss Court Decides To Hear Landmark Climate Litigation

On December 17, 2025, the Cantonal Court of Zug decided to hear a landmark climate lawsuit against Swiss cement producer Holcim. The lawsuit seeks to clarify whether individuals affected by climate change can bring civil claims before Swiss courts.

Background

The case is brought by four Indonesian individuals against the Swiss cement producer Holcim. Supported by the organizations HEKS (Swiss Church Aid), ECCHR (European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights), and the Indonesian environmental organization WALHI, the claimants argue that Holcim's historical greenhouse gas emissions have significantly contributed to climate change and thus to the partial submergence of their island home Pari. Against this background, the claimants are demanding financial compensation, adaptation measures to protect their island, and, most notably, substantial emissions reductions by Holcim.