(Zurich, 23rd) — Four residents from a small Indonesian island are taking Swiss cement giant Holcim to court. They have traveled to Switzerland to accuse Holcim of inadequate efforts in reducing emissions, and a Swiss state court has decided to accept the lawsuit.
This marks the first time a Swiss court has accepted a climate lawsuit against a large corporation. Oil companies have long been the primary targets of climate litigation, but environmentalists hope the Swiss case will highlight the significant environmental impact of the cement industry as well.
The cement industry is one of the world's most polluting industries after fossil fuels. Globally, cement production accounts for about 8% of carbon dioxide emissions.
Pari Island, located about 50 kilometers north of Indonesia's capital Jakarta, is a low-lying island among those most threatened by rising sea levels. Over the past decade, it has lost 11% of its land. Climate experts estimate that Pari Island could be completely submerged by 2050.
In January 2023, four residents of Pari Island filed a legal complaint with the court in Zug, Switzerland, demanding that Holcim take legal responsibility for their homeland's submersion by seawater. Holcim is listed as one of the top 50 “carbon-polluting multinational companies” in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.
The islanders are demanding compensation of 3,600 Swiss francs (about 5,850 Singapore dollars) for each resident, as well as the implementation of protective measures such as planting mangroves and building seawalls on Pari Island. They also require Holcim to reduce its carbon emissions by 43% by 2030 and by 69% by 2040.
On Monday (December 22), plaintiff Asmania, appearing in court in Switzerland, said: “We are very happy. This decision gives us the strength to keep fighting.”
Holcim stated that the company had “anticipated such a situation and intends to appeal.” Holcim previously insisted that the courts are not the appropriate venue for tackling global climate change challenges.
Indonesia is one of the countries most affected by climate change. Rising sea levels are reshaping Indonesia’s coastlines, and increasingly frequent heavy rain is causing many regions to face flooding and landslides. Since the end of November, northern Sumatra has been severely hit by floods and landslides, with more than 1,000 deaths, over 200 people missing, and millions affected.
According to The Jakarta Post, 2025 is Indonesia's most disaster-prone and deadliest year, revealing inadequacies in Indonesia’s disaster mitigation efforts amid intensifying extreme climate events and environmental degradation.
This marks the first time a Swiss court has accepted a climate lawsuit against a large corporation. Oil companies have long been the primary targets of climate litigation, but environmentalists hope the Swiss case will highlight the significant environmental impact of the cement industry as well.
The cement industry is one of the world's most polluting industries after fossil fuels. Globally, cement production accounts for about 8% of carbon dioxide emissions.
In January 2023, four residents of Pari Island filed a legal complaint with the court in Zug, Switzerland, demanding that Holcim take legal responsibility for their homeland's submersion by seawater. Holcim is listed as one of the top 50 “carbon-polluting multinational companies” in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.
The islanders are demanding compensation of 3,600 Swiss francs (about 5,850 Singapore dollars) for each resident, as well as the implementation of protective measures such as planting mangroves and building seawalls on Pari Island. They also require Holcim to reduce its carbon emissions by 43% by 2030 and by 69% by 2040.
On Monday (December 22), plaintiff Asmania, appearing in court in Switzerland, said: “We are very happy. This decision gives us the strength to keep fighting.”
Holcim stated that the company had “anticipated such a situation and intends to appeal.” Holcim previously insisted that the courts are not the appropriate venue for tackling global climate change challenges.
Indonesia is one of the countries most affected by climate change. Rising sea levels are reshaping Indonesia’s coastlines, and increasingly frequent heavy rain is causing many regions to face flooding and landslides. Since the end of November, northern Sumatra has been severely hit by floods and landslides, with more than 1,000 deaths, over 200 people missing, and millions affected.
According to The Jakarta Post, 2025 is Indonesia's most disaster-prone and deadliest year, revealing inadequacies in Indonesia’s disaster mitigation efforts amid intensifying extreme climate events and environmental degradation.
According to data from Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency as of December 20, Indonesia has encountered 3,133 disasters so far this year, resulting in at least 1,530 deaths, making 2025 the year with the highest natural disaster fatalities in recent years, excluding COVID-19 related deaths.
Additionally, 10.3 million people have been displaced, accounting for 3% of the national population, the highest since 2019. Furthermore, more than 186,000 houses and public buildings have been damaged.
Additionally, 10.3 million people have been displaced, accounting for 3% of the national population, the highest since 2019. Furthermore, more than 186,000 houses and public buildings have been damaged.