CHR-NI-2016-0001 Supplementary Memorandum by Resource Person, Katherine Lofts Status: Petition filed Jurisdictions: Switzerland The petitioners are a group of older women who allege that the Swiss Government, by failing to take sufficient action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goal of keeping the global temperature rise below 2ºC, has infringed upon rights enshrined in the Swiss Constitution and under the European Convention on Human Rights. The petitioners are concerned for their health and well-being, and note that their demographic group is especially vulnerable to the heat waves expected to result from climate change. The petition requests that the government be required to develop a regulatory approach to achieving greenhouse gas emissions reductions of at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 and at least 50% below 1990 levels by 2050. (10) A Request for an Advisory Opinion from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights Concerning the Interpretation of Article 1(1), 4(1) and 5(1) of the American Convention on Human Rights Filing date: 2016 Reporter information: OC-23/17 Status: Decided Jurisdiction: Inter-American Court of Human Rights The Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued an advisory opinion finding that the right to a healthy environment is a human right. In Advisory Opinion OC-23/17, issued on November 15, 2017, the Court recognized the existence of an irrefutable relationship between the protection of the environment and the realization of other human rights, due to the fact that environmental degradation – including climate change – affects the effective enjoyment of other human rights. In particular, the Court emphasized the interdependence and indivisibility amongst human rights, the environment and sustainable development. The Court further determined that, under the Inter-American human rights system, States have a number of environmental obligations, including the obligation to ensure that they comply with their duties to respect and ensure the right to a healthy environment and the numerous other connected rights (including economic, social and cultural rights). As a result, all States who recognize the jurisdiction of the Court, as well as all citizens of those countries, may file claims concerning environmental harms that impact human rights. *The official English summary of the Advisory Opinion is appended to this memorandum. (11) Greenpeace Nordic Association and Natur Og Ungdom (Nature & Youth) v. The Government of Norway Filing date: 2016 Case No: 16-166674TVI-OTIR/06 Status: Appeal filed on 5th February, 2018 Jurisdiction: Norway (Oslo District Court; Court of Appeal) 5