Austrian man files human rights case against Austria over climate inaction

Max Milner, a 40-year-old former energy consultant from Austria, has filed a lawsuit against the Austrian state at the European Court of Human Rights. Milner, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and Uhthoff syndrome, argues that the government's climate inaction constitutes a human rights violation. He experiences temporary neurological deterioration when his body temperature rises due to environmental heat. Specifically, he notes that his mobility declines at 25°C, and he becomes nearly paralyzed at temperatures exceeding 30°C, requiring the use of an electric wheelchair. Milner lives in a passive house in Lower Austria, which is designed for high energy efficiency. This case is part of a broader series of climate justice lawsuits currently being heard in European courts. He seeks a formal ruling against the state for failing to address climate change impacts. The legal challenge highlights the intersection of personal disability and environmental conditions.