Interpretation of victim status in climate crisis cases before the European Court of Human Rights

The thesis examines the evolving interpretation approach of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to individual applicants' victim status especially in climate crisis cases. It comprehensively analyses the requirement of victimhood under Article 34 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). First, it delves into key national, regional, and international decisions where victimhood was a disputable matter before the court and examines the approach of the relevant judicial body. Then it thoroughly examines the determining factors for victimhood as an admissibility criterion before the ECtHR in general and in environmental cases to lay the ground for understanding the Court's approach in climate cases. Next, the approach of the ECtHR is assessed for cases where human rights violation was alleged due to climate change. Focusing on the discussion of the three Grand Chamber decisions, it aims to explore the cautious yet evolving approach of the ECtHR in interpreting the victim status for individual applications. Finally, the thesis contributes to the growing field of climate change and human rights litigation examining the interpretation method of ECtHR on climate cases and provides an overall view of how human rights bodies are addressing this complex issue.