Four Islanders of Pari v. Holcim

Switzerland

Jurisdiction: Canton of Zug

Side A: Four Islanders of Pari (Individual)

Side B: Holcim (Corporation)

Core objectives: Civil liability of major GHG emitter for climate change-related damages suffered in a different jurisdiction; financing of anti-flooding measures; GHG emissions reductions

Summary

Four inhabitants of the Indonesian island of Pari have sued Swiss-based major buildings materials company Holcim (from 2015 to 2021: Lafarge Holcim). In July 2022, they filed a request for conciliation before the Justice of the Peace of the Canton of Zug, Switzerland. This is a necessary step required by the Swiss Civil Procedure Code.
The plaintiffs are supported by three NGOs: HEKS/EPER (Switzerland), the European Center for Constitutional and European Rights (ECCHR) and WALHI (Indonesia).
The plaintiffs request:
• proportional compensation for climate change-related damages on Pari
• reduction of CO2 emissions by 43 % by 2030, compared to 2019 levels (or according to findings of climate science in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C)
• financial contribution to adaptation measures on Pari
The claim can be seen as novel and unprecedented as it combines two approaches: reduction of GHGs and compensation.

Note: The information presented here is based on media releases of the NGOs that support the plaintiffs. More detailed information is not available at this time.

Full case documents will be added as they become available.