A Sud e altri c. Italia: brevi considerazioni sul primo contenzioso climatico in Italia

di Francesca Cerulli

SOMMARIO: 1. Introduzione. – 2. Un passo avanti e due indietro per la giustizia climatica in Italia. – 2.1 La strategia processuale di parte attrice. – 2.2 Analisi critica della sentenza di primo grado. – 3. Le possibili implicazioni della sentenza KlimaSeniorinnen c. Svizzera per il contenzioso climatico in Italia: a) in materia di separazione dei poteri. – 3.1 Segue: b) in materia di obblighi di mitigazione. – 4. Conclusioni.

This study aims to examine Italy’s first case of climate change litigation, in which the Italian State was sued for failing to implement adequate climate policies in line with its international obligations. A critical analysis will be conducted of the judgment issued by the Tribunal of Rome on February 26, 2024, which dismissed the case as inadmissible due to an absolute lack of jurisdiction. The Tribunal based its decision on the grounds that proceeding otherwise would violate the principle of separation of powers. Additionally, this study will consider the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling in KlimaSeniorinnen v. Switzerland, issued just weeks later. In fact, the European Court’s position on separation of powers and mitigation obligations, which Italian judges will need to consider on appeal, could influence the final outcome of the case.