Cordelia Bähr is a renowned Swiss lawyer whose groundbreaking work in environmental and human rights law has earned her global recognition. Best known for leading the landmark climate case on behalf of the Swiss senior women’s group KlimaSeniorinnen, Bähr successfully argued before the European Court of Human Rights that government inaction on climate change constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights. With a career rooted in public law and a passion for climate justice, she has become a powerful voice in the legal battle against global warming, setting precedents that influence policy and legal frameworks across Europe.
Key Information
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Cordelia Christiane Bähr |
| Date of Birth | 1981 |
| Place of Birth | St. Gallen, Switzerland |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Education | – Licentiate in Law (lic. iur.), University of Zurich (2006) |
| – LL.M. in Public Law (Human Rights & Environment), London School of Economics (2013) | |
| Bar Admission | Supreme Court of the Canton of Zurich (2010) |
| Current Role | Partner at bähr ettwein rechtsanwälte, Zurich |
| Specializations | Environmental law, human rights law, constitutional and administrative law |
| Languages | German, English, French |
| Notable Clients | KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz (Swiss Senior Women for Climate Protection) |
| Affiliations | – Co-founder & Editor, Klima & Recht (Climate & Law) |
| – Swiss National Rapporteur, Climate Change Litigation Initiative | |
| – Board Member, Swiss Association for Environmental Law | |
| Awards & Recognition | – Nature’s 10 (2024) |
| – TIME 100 Most Influential People (2025) | |
| Hobbies | – Hiking in the Swiss Alps |
| – Environmental advocacy and public speaking | |
| Family | Married with two children |
| Residence | Zurich, Switzerland |
Cordelia Bähr, born in 1981, stands at the forefront of international climate justice, earning recognition as one of the most influential legal minds shaping environmental and human rights law in Europe. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Bähr has emerged as a powerful advocate for holding governments accountable in the face of climate inaction, using legal mechanisms to bridge environmental sustainability with constitutional rights.
Early Life and Education
Raised in Switzerland, Cordelia Bähr showed early signs of a keen intellect and a passion for justice. Her academic journey began at the University of Zurich, where she earned her licentiate in law (lic. iur.) in 2006. Driven by a desire to expand her expertise on a global scale, she later pursued an LL.M. in Public Law with a specialization in human rights and the environment from the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
This diverse academic foundation laid the groundwork for her nuanced understanding of the intersection between environmental concerns and fundamental rights—an understanding that would later define her career.
Career and Legal Contributions
Cordelia’s legal career spans a range of experiences—from serving as a court clerk in Zurich to becoming a key legal advisor at Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment. At the FOEN, she worked on revising the CO₂ Ordinance, giving her firsthand experience with environmental policy at the federal level.
In 2016, she co-founded the Zurich-based law firm bähr ettwein rechtsanwälte, focusing her practice on constitutional, environmental, and public international law. It was through this firm that she would undertake one of the most groundbreaking climate cases in European history.
The KlimaSeniorinnen Case
Bähr rose to global prominence as the lead counsel in the KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz case—a lawsuit filed by a group of elderly Swiss women who argued that their government’s inaction on climate change violated their fundamental human rights. Representing over 2,500 women, Bähr meticulously built a case that eventually reached the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
In April 2024, the court ruled in favor of the KlimaSeniorinnen, making it the first time a country was found in breach of human rights due to inadequate climate policy. This landmark decision not only held Switzerland accountable but also set a powerful legal precedent for climate litigation across Europe and beyond.
Recognition and Influence
Bähr’s impact has been widely acknowledged. She was featured in Nature’s 10—a list celebrating individuals who shaped science in 2024—and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2025. Her strategic use of constitutional law to combat climate change has inspired a new generation of lawyers, activists, and policymakers.
Beyond the courtroom, she co-founded Klima & Recht, a legal publication focused on climate-related legal developments, and has published extensively in academic journals on climate policy and environmental law.
Personal Life and Values
Though intensely dedicated to her professional work, Cordelia Bähr remains committed to values of compassion, inclusivity, and intergenerational justice. She has spoken publicly about the importance of protecting vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and future generations, from the devastating effects of climate change. Her advocacy is rooted not just in legal theory but in a profound sense of responsibility to the planet and humanity.
Interesting Facts About Cordelia Bähr
- Pioneering Climate Litigation: Cordelia Bähr led a groundbreaking case representing over 2,500 elderly Swiss women (KlimaSeniorinnen) against the Swiss government. The European Court of Human Rights ruled in their favor in April 2024, marking the first time a country was held accountable for inadequate climate action violating human rights.
- Academic Contributions: She has authored several scholarly articles on environmental law and climate litigation, including discussions on greenhouse gas taxes and the legal implications of climate change.
- Early Inspiration: Bähr’s interest in climate law was ignited after studying the 2003 European heatwave, which disproportionately affected elderly women. This realization led her to explore legal avenues to address climate change as a human rights issue.
- International Collaboration: In preparation for the KlimaSeniorinnen case at the European Court of Human Rights, Bähr expanded her legal team to include a renowned British Queen’s Counsel specializing in environmental and human rights law.
- Educational Endeavors: Beyond her legal practice, she serves as a guest lecturer in environmental law and enforcement at the University of Applied Sciences of North West Switzerland, sharing her expertise with future legal professionals.
- Recognition in Science and Media: Her successful litigation and contributions to climate law earned her a spot in Nature’s 10 list in 2024 and TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2025, highlighting her impact on science and society.
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