The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Switzerland's shortcomings to prevent climate change violated its citizens' human rights—a decision that will set a precedent for future climate lawsuits.

The landmark ruling was one in a trio of climate-related cases considered by the court. It dismissed the other two on mostly procedural grounds. 

The case against Switzerland was brought by an association of more than 2,000 older Swiss women who were concerned about the consequences of global warming on their health and living conditions.