Swiss court admits Indonesia islanders climate case against Holcim

A cantonal court in Zug has agreed to hear a climate lawsuit filed by four residents of Pari, a low-lying Indonesian island repeatedly hit by coastal flooding. The complaint targets Swiss cement giant Holcim, alleging the company’s greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to sea-level rise and that its current plans to cut pollution are insufficient.

The case, lodged in January 2023 and backed by Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), is being described by the organization as a first in Switzerland: a court allowing climate claims to proceed against a major corporation. The court’s decision means the plaintiffs will have a platform to argue that Holcim bears partial responsibility for climate-related harms already unfolding on their island.

Holcim acknowledged the court’s move and said it intends to challenge the decision. The company stated it is pursuing a net-zero pathway by 2050 through a strategy aligned with scientific benchmarks, adding that it has already cut direct carbon emissions from its operations by more than half since 2015. The court did not immediately offer public comment on the admission of the case.

Islanders seek redress and rapid emissions cuts

Pari Island’s residents say rising seas and more frequent inundation are undermining homes, livelihoods and local infrastructure. Their complaint aims to secure tangible remedies and stronger climate action from the company. The plaintiffs are asking for:

• Compensation for damages linked to climate impacts;
• Financial support for flood protection and other adaptation measures;
• Accelerated reductions in the company’s CO2 emissions.

While legal strategies vary globally, such claims increasingly test whether large emitters can be held liable for a share of climate harms. By admitting the case, the Swiss court has opened a legal pathway that could influence how corporate responsibility is interpreted in the country’s climate litigation landscape.

A high-emitting sector under scrutiny

Cement production is among the most carbon-intensive industries, responsible for roughly 7% of global CO2 emissions. Decarbonizing the sector hinges on measures such as cutting the clinker content of cement, switching to lower-carbon energy sources, deploying alternative materials and scaling up carbon capture technologies. Progress is underway, but the pace and breadth of change remain under close public and regulatory scrutiny as climate impacts intensify.

Holcim’s climate roadmap, including its 2050 net-zero target, will likely feature prominently in the proceedings. The case could probe the credibility and sufficiency of corporate transition plans against the scale and urgency demanded by climate science, particularly for industries with hard-to-abate emissions.

Why this decision matters

The court’s acceptance of the complaint does not determine the outcome. Rather, it signals that the arguments meet the threshold to be heard, allowing evidence and legal reasoning to be examined in detail. For communities like those on Pari Island—situated at the frontlines of sea-level rise—the decision represents an opportunity to seek accountability and resources needed for adaptation.

For Switzerland, the move situates the country within a growing international wave of climate litigation aimed at both governments and corporations. The proceedings will be closely watched by legal scholars, climate advocates and the business community for potential implications on corporate climate duties, risk management and disclosure practices.

Next steps will hinge on the appeal signaled by Holcim and the court’s schedule. Regardless of timing, the case adds to mounting pressure on heavy industry to demonstrate not only long-term ambition but near-term, measurable emissions cuts that align with global climate goals—and to grapple with the consequences already bearing down on vulnerable communities.