Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya is suing German energy company RWE for climate justice, claiming the company should contribute to flood defences for his hometown due to its carbon emissions. The case, originally filed in 2015 and previously dismissed, is now being heard in Hamm. Lliuya seeks 17,000 euros in compensation, linking RWE’s emissions to climate risks in his region.
Saul Luciano Lliuya, a 44-year-old Peruvian farmer, has initiated legal action against the German energy company RWE, seeking what he refers to as “climate justice”. He asserts that RWE, a significant emitter of carbon dioxide, should contribute to safeguarding his hometown, Huaraz, from the dangers posed by a glacier lake that risks overflowing due to climate change. Lliuya demands compensation amounting to 17,000 euros (approximately $18,400) for flood defences, claiming the company’s fossil fuel usage is directly linked to the increasing flood hazards in his region.
Lliuya first filed his lawsuit in 2015, but it was dismissed by a court in Essen in 2016. However, an appeal was permitted in 2017 by a court in Hamm, where the current hearings are taking place. Due to delays caused by the Covid pandemic, the hearings are set to occur over a three-day period, with their aim being to ascertain whether Lliuya’s property in Peru is significantly at risk. Evidence gathered by court-appointed experts in 2022 will be presented during these hearings.
Central to Lliuya’s claim is a 2014 study asserting that RWE is responsible for 0.47 percent of global carbon emissions since the industrial age began. He argues that RWE should cover that fraction of the estimated 3.5 million euros required to mitigate the flooding risk at Lake Palcacocha. RWE, founded in 1898 and now reliant on diverse energy sources such as gas and coal, denies any operational ties to Peru.
Commenting on Lliuya’s situation, Christoph Bals, leader of policy at the environmental group Germanwatch, revealed that they learned about his case through a consultant aiding him in addressing rising waters. He noted the farmers were indignant that they were suffering consequences from climate change they did not cause. Conversely, RWE’s spokesperson expressed that a judgment in favour of Lliuya could set a troubling precedent, making individuals liable under German law for overseas environmental impacts.
As the Hamm court examines these matters, it may potentially challenge previous rulings that rejected the link between specific emissions and resultant damages. With 43 climate-related lawsuits currently in progress globally, this case could yield significant implications for future environmental litigation.
In conclusion, Saul Luciano Lliuya’s lawsuit against RWE underscores the urgent need for accountability concerning climate change impacts felt worldwide. His demands for financial assistance to protect his community from the risks posed by climate change highlight the responsibilities of large emitters. As legal proceedings continue, their outcome may influence global precedents in environmental law, distancing the breadth of corporate accountability for climate-related damages.
Original Source: www.cnhinews.com
