A Peruvian farmer, Saul Luciano Lliuya, is suing German energy company RWE for climate change damages. He demands 17,000 euros for flood defenses, claiming RWE’s carbon emissions contribute to the risk faced by his hometown of Huaraz. The case, which faced multiple delays, is now entering critical hearings that may have substantial implications for corporate accountability in environmental issues.
A Peruvian farmer, Saul Luciano Lliuya, is engaged in a significant legal battle against the German energy company RWE regarding climate change repercussions. He seeks compensation of 17,000 euros (approximately $18,400) to reinforce flood defenses for his hometown, Huaraz, which faces flooding risks from a melting glacier lake. Lliuya contends that RWE contributes to the climate crisis through its emissions and thus bears some responsibility for the threats to his community.
The legal proceedings began in 2015 but faced delays, including an initial dismissal by a lower court in Essen, Germany. In 2017, a higher court in Hamm permitted the case to continue, leading to new hearings scheduled from Monday to Wednesday. “I would never have thought that it would all take so long,” Lliuya remarked, acknowledging the various challenges faced in the legal process.
The upcoming hearings will evaluate whether Lliuya’s property in Peru is significantly at risk of flooding, based on assessments carried out by court-appointed experts in 2022. The case further examines RWE’s accountability based on a study indicating the company has contributed 0.47% of total carbon emissions since the industrial era began. Lliuya asserts that RWE should contribute its share to the proposed flood mitigation costs of 3.5 million euros, although the company has never operated in Peru.
RWE previously expressed concerns about the implications of a ruling in favor of Lliuya, warning that it could prompt legal accountability for environmental damages extending beyond national borders. Francesca Mascha Klein of Germanwatch stresses the need for corporations like RWE to acknowledge and assume responsibility for their contributions to climate change. The Hamm court’s ruling may set a significant precedent in the context of ongoing global climate-damage lawsuits.
The case of Saul Luciano Lliuya versus RWE represents a pivotal moment in the intersection of corporate responsibility and climate change. Lliuya’s struggle highlights the vital need for companies to acknowledge their impact on global warming, while also navigating complex legal frameworks. The forthcoming hearings in Hamm could redefine the interactions between environmental accountability and corporate governance, possibly setting a significant legal precedent for future climate-related cases.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
