Switzerland: Thousands protest climate inaction in Geneva and Lausanne

Thousands of protesters marched through Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland, to denounce government inaction regarding global warming. Organized by a coalition of over 100 associations, the demonstrations featured slogans such as ‘No 50-degree Celsius summers!’ and ‘There is no Planet B.’

In Lausanne, police estimated that approximately 12,000 people participated in the march. In Geneva, organizers reported around 7,000 participants, while police figures cited 3,000. Speakers included representatives from the education and agricultural sectors, as well as Green Party President Lisa Mazzone, who criticized right-wing politicians for denying the climate emergency.

The protests follow a landmark April 2024 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Switzerland had failed to take adequate measures to combat climate change. Demonstrators targeted federal authorities, including Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, demanding urgent CO2 reduction and adaptation measures to prevent extreme heatwaves and water shortages.