Saul Luciano Lliuya, a Peruvian farmer, is suing German energy firm RWE over climate change impacts in his hometown, Huaraz. He argues RWE, responsible for 0.5% of global emissions, should contribute to local flood protection costs. This landmark case, which resumed in March 2023, could set a significant precedent for corporate accountability concerning climate issues globally.
Saul Luciano Lliuya, a Peruvian farmer and mountain guide from Ancash, has been engaged in a landmark climate case against the German energy company RWE. The case, which has spanned nearly a decade, resumed on March 17 at the Higher Regional Court in Hamm, Germany. Lliuya, a Quechua speaker, contends that RWE should bear a portion of the cost to protect his hometown of Huaraz from potential flooding due to a swelling glacial lake, attributed to climate change, caused in part by RWE’s extensive historical greenhouse gas emissions.
Lliuya’s assertion is founded on a 2013 Carbon Majors Study indicating that RWE is responsible for approximately 0.5 percent of global climate change since the 1850s. He seeks around €17,000 from the company, representing this percentage of the costs necessary to safeguard Huaraz, including the construction of protective dikes. In 2015, his initial suit was dismissed by a court, leading to an appeal accepted by a higher court in Hamm in 2017. The pandemic caused delays, and the initial hearings now commence.
This case is pivotal, as it raises significant questions regarding corporate accountability for climate action. RWE maintains that it complies with national greenhouse gas regulations and aspires to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. However, the historical contributions of the company to global warming have placed it under scrutiny. Andrea Tang, a representative of Germanwatch supporting Lliuya, emphasized that the case could create a substantial legal precedent regarding climate justice.
In highlighting the case’s international relevance, Lliuya, who had never traveled outside Peru before this pursuit, managed to attract the attention of European experts. In 2022, following diplomatic discussions, judges from Germany traveled to assess the situation in Huaraz and the risks posed by Lake Palcacocha, drawing significant media coverage. The outcome of this trial remains uncertain, particularly concerning the judges’ reception of the scientific arguments presented.
The climate case brought by Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya against RWE stands as a potentially transformative legal battle for corporate accountability in the context of climate change. This case marks an unprecedented challenge where a farmer from Peru seeks financial assistance from a major energy corporation for environmental protection. As many similar cases unfold worldwide, the outcome could have broader implications for future climate justice initiatives and highlight the responsibility of corporations in combating climate change.
Original Source: www.euronews.com
