A Swiss court ruled in favor of a dozen climate activists who occupied a Credit Suisse branch to protest the bank's fossil fuel investments. The judge concluded that because of the imminent danger of the climate crisis, the protesters' actions were necessary and proportional.
In November 2018, twelve climate activists wearing white sports clothes and wigs staged a tennis match at a Lausanne branch of Credit Suisse to protest the bank's fossil fuel investments and pressure tennis star Roger Federer to end his sponsorship arrangement with the institution. According to news reports, the protesters were charged with trespassing and fined 21,600 Swiss Francs ($22,000). On appeal, Judge Philippe Colelough concluded that the activists had acted proportionately and waived the fine, which will now be paid by the state, according to press reports.
"Because of the insufficient measures taken to date in Switzerland, whether they be economic or political, the average warming will not diminish nor even stabilize, it will increase," the judge explained. "In view of this, the tribunal considers that the imminence of danger is established. . . . The act for which they were incriminated was a necessary and proportional means to achieve the goal they sought."
Case Documents:
No case documents are available.