Saul Luciano Lliuya, a Peruvian farmer, is suing German energy giant RWE for climate change damages impacting his hometown. He seeks financial support for flood defenses based on RWE’s significant carbon emissions. A court hearing in Germany is scheduled to assess the admissibility of evidence in this landmark case, which could set a climate justice precedent globally.
Saul Luciano Lliuya, a 44-year-old Peruvian farmer, is engaged in a legal showdown against the German energy corporation RWE, amidst claims of climate change damage impacting his community. Lliuya asserts that RWE, as a major contributor to global carbon emissions, should finance part of the flood defenses required for Huaraz, his hometown, which is threatened by a precarious glacier lake. He is scheduled to attend a court hearing in Hamm, Germany, from March 17 to 19.
Lliuya has requested RWE to contribute approximately 17,000 euros ($18,400) for the construction of protective infrastructure such as a dike. His claims were bolstered by a 2013 study suggesting that RWE was accountable for about 0.5% of global emissions since the industrial revolution. Although his initial lawsuit was dismissed in 2016 by a court in Essen, a higher court in Hamm accepted his appeal in 2017.
Remote assessments of Lake Palcacocha and the surrounding glaciers were conducted by German experts following the COVID-19 pandemic. The forthcoming hearings are crucial, as they will determine the admissibility of the recently collected evidence related to the risks posed by the melting glaciers.
The case is supported by the environmental organization Germanwatch, with lawyer Andrea Tang highlighting its unprecedented nature, stating that “never before has a case of climate justice reached an evidentiary stage.” She emphasized that this lawsuit could set a significant precedent for climate justice initiatives in other jurisdictions.
RWE contends that it has complied with environmental regulations and aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. The company expressed confusion regarding the legal action against it, noting its lack of operations in Peru.
The legal case initiated by Saul Luciano Lliuya against RWE highlights the pressing issue of corporate accountability in climate change impacts. With a court hearing approaching, the case may pave the way for future climate justice claims against large corporations. As the lawsuit progresses, its outcomes could influence similar claims worldwide and underscore the importance of addressing environmental responsibilities.
Original Source: www.mdjonline.com
