Saul Luciano Lliuya, a farmer from Peru, is suing RWE, a German energy giant, claiming it should aid in flood defense costs for his town, threatened by a melting glacier. He is confident in the German legal process and the potential precedents this case may set for climate justice. RWE defends its record on emissions compliance and expresses confusion regarding the lawsuit.
In a significant legal battle, Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya is suing German energy corporation RWE over climate change impacts, expressing optimism in the German legal system. Lliuya asserts that RWE, a major emitter of carbon dioxide, should contribute to protecting his hometown of Huaraz from a glacier lake that threatens to overflow due to melting ice and snow. He plans to travel to Germany for a hearing scheduled between March 17 and 19, where he seeks approximately 17,000 euros ($18,400) for constructing flood defenses, including a dike.
The foundation of Lliuya’s lawsuit rests on a 2013 climate study that attributed about 0.5 percent of global emissions to RWE since industrialization began. After initially having his case dismissed in 2016, a higher court in Hamm reinstated his appeal in 2017. The legal proceedings gained momentum, particularly after a visit by German experts and judges to Lake Palcacocha and the surrounding glaciers in Huaraz in 2022 to gather crucial evidence for the trial.
This case, supported by the environmental NGO Germanwatch, is poised to set a significant precedent in climate justice. Andrea Tang, the organization’s lawyer, emphasized that this is unprecedented as it could influence future civil cases regarding climate accountability. RWE, which has not operated in Peru, maintains that it adheres to greenhouse gas regulations and is working towards achieving CO2 neutrality by 2040, questioning why it is specifically targeted in this legal action.
Saul Luciano Lliuya’s lawsuit against RWE represents a critical juncture in the intersection of climate change and legal accountability. With support from environmental groups and a potentially precedent-setting legal framework, this case could significantly alter the landscape of climate justice. As legal proceedings unfold, the outcomes may influence similar cases worldwide, garnering attention on corporate responsibility in the face of climate change.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
