Swiss court allows islanders’ climate case against cement giant

09:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Swiss court allows islanders’ climate case against cement giant

A Swiss court has accepted a landmark lawsuit filed by residents of an Indonesian island against Holcim, the world’s largest cement producer, in what could become a defining case for corporate accountability in climate change. The Cantonal Court in Zug ruled that the complaint filed by four residents of Pari Island can proceed, marking the first time a Swiss court has admitted a climate case brought by foreign plaintiffs against a multinational based in Switzerland.

The plaintiffs Asmania, Arif, Bobby, and Edi filed the case in 2023, arguing that rising sea levels linked to global warming have already submerged part of their island and threaten to destroy it entirely within decades. They demand both compensation and concrete measures to reduce carbon emissions. Experts estimate that around 11% of Pari Island’s surface area has already been lost to flooding, with the rest at risk by 2050 if current climate trends continue.

The residents are requesting individual compensation of CHF 3,600 (around $4,500) each and financial support for adaptation projects such as mangrove restoration and coastal defenses. They also call for Holcim to align its emission reductions with international climate targets cutting its greenhouse gas output by 43% by 2030 and 69% by 2040 compared to 2019 levels. The figures are based on research suggesting Holcim’s operations account for roughly 0.42% of global industrial carbon emissions since 1750.

Environmental advocates have welcomed the court’s decision as a major precedent, emphasizing that it opens the door for communities affected by climate change in the Global South to seek justice from polluters in the Global North. The case is supported by Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, and the Indonesian Forum for the Environment.

Holcim, headquartered in Zug, responded by reiterating its pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and to pursue ongoing carbon reduction efforts. The company insists that while climate change is a shared global challenge, it should be addressed through policy cooperation rather than litigation. Holcim adds that it has already halved direct CO₂ emissions from its production processes since 2015 and no longer operates cement plants in Indonesia.

The outcome of this case could shape the future of transnational climate litigation, particularly for industries with heavy carbon footprints such as cement, energy, and steel. The proceedings will be closely watched by environmental lawyers, policymakers, and corporations worldwide as climate accountability continues to take center stage in global sustainability debates.