Stockholm, Sweden, February 19, 2025 – Sweden’s Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that a class action lawsuit, initiated by climate activist Greta Thunberg and 299 other plaintiffs, cannot proceed in its current form.
The lawsuit sought to compel the government to adopt stronger measures to combat climate change, arguing that Sweden’s actions fall short of protecting rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Filed in 2022 by the Aurora group, the case claimed that the state’s insufficient efforts to limit global warming violated individual human rights. After the district court referred the matter to the Supreme Court in 2023—following the state’s request for dismissal—the highest court clarified its position. “A court cannot decide that the parliament or the government must take any specific action. The political bodies decide independently on which specific climate measures Sweden should take,” the court stated.
The ruling noted that while a lawsuit formulated solely to assess whether individuals’ rights under the convention have been violated might be permissible, the current case’s objective of mandating particular state actions falls outside the judiciary’s remit. The plaintiffs had aimed to force Sweden to implement measures to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a target recognized internationally.
This decision adds to a series of mixed outcomes in climate-related litigation across Europe. Last year, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Swiss government had breached citizens’ rights by not doing enough to address climate change, while dismissing similar claims in other cases on procedural grounds.
Global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in 2024 for the first time, driven by record emissions and extreme weather patterns, highlighting the urgent need for decisive climate action.
There is more than a 50% chance of La Niña developing over the next three months, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which could potentially temper 2024’s record-breaking global temperatures.
2024 is set to be the hottest year ever recorded, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Extreme weather events, linked to human-induced climate change, have wreaked havoc worldwide, as CO2 emissions hit record highs despite global green pledges.
Pope Francis is showing improvement, the Vatican said, as the pontiff began his eighth day in hospital. Francis was admitted after struggling with breathing and is being treated for pneumonia.
EU boosts undersea cable security with nearly €1B reallocation, enhancing surveillance, deterrence, and rapid response. A new data-sharing system, drone program, and emergency repair fleet aim to protect critical infrastructure amid rising sabotage concerns.
China's centuries-old treasures have been pulled out of storage to be restored for display at Beijing's Forbidden City and Palace Museum. Meticulous repairs are needed ahead of the museum's 100th anniversary this year.
USAID has long promoted itself as a supporter of press freedom, but reports suggest its media funding may have influenced domestic narratives in Europe and post-Soviet states. With the Trump administration freezing its grants, the agency’s role in shaping global information is under scrutiny.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
A tragic crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night left 18 dead and 10 injured as thousands of people, many heading to the Kumbh Mela festival, attempted to board delayed trains. The incident highlights the ongoing risks of overcrowding at public transportation hubs in India.
Greece is struggling with severe water shortages as climate change intensifies droughts and aging infrastructure leaks nearly half of its drinking water. The crisis threatens agriculture, public health, and daily life.
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has approved an agreement between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on strategic partnership in the development and transmission of green energy.
Masdar, TotalEnergies and EPointZero, the decarbonisation division of 2PointZero, have signed a Framework for Action (FFA) agreement to expand clean energy access across Africa and Asia.
Over 150 false killer whales have been stranded on a remote beach in Tasmania, Australia. Rescue teams are working to save the surviving dolphins, while the cause of the stranding remains under investigation.
Brazil has announced the date and venue for the BRICS leaders' summit in 2025. It is planned to be held in Rio de Janeiro, from July 6 to 7.
Pope Francis is showing improvement, the Vatican said, as the pontiff began his eighth day in hospital. Francis was admitted after struggling with breathing and is being treated for pneumonia.
EU boosts undersea cable security with nearly €1B reallocation, enhancing surveillance, deterrence, and rapid response. A new data-sharing system, drone program, and emergency repair fleet aim to protect critical infrastructure amid rising sabotage concerns.
China's centuries-old treasures have been pulled out of storage to be restored for display at Beijing's Forbidden City and Palace Museum. Meticulous repairs are needed ahead of the museum's 100th anniversary this year.
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