Saul Luciano Lliuya, a farmer from Peru, is suing German energy corporation RWE for climate justice, demanding 17,000 euros for flood defenses related to melting glaciers. He asserts that RWE is partly responsible due to its carbon emissions. The case, which has faced previous legal hurdles, examines the potential liability of corporations for climate-related damages.
A Peruvian farmer is pursuing legal action against the German energy company RWE in a quest for “climate justice,” demanding compensation for rising temperatures’ impacts on his hometown of Huaraz. Saul Luciano Lliuya asserts that RWE, as a significant carbon dioxide emitter, bears responsibility for mitigating the flood risks posed by a swelling glacier lake in his community. He seeks 17,000 euros (approximately $18,400) to assist in funding flood defenses, emphasizing the dire implications for his community of over 50,000 individuals.
This lawsuit, initiated in 2015, faced initial rejection in a court in Essen but was allowed to proceed by the Hamm court in 2017. The current hearings, delayed due to the pandemic, are set to assess the threat of flooding to Lliuya’s property, with evidence gathered by experts from the 2022 investigation. Should the court find substantial risk, discussions surrounding RWE’s liability will follow.
Lliuya’s legal basis stems from a study that attributed 0.47% of global carbon emissions to RWE since the industrial onset. He argues that RWE, despite having no operations in Peru, should contribute financially to flood mitigation efforts at Lake Palcacocha. Support for Lliuya’s stand comes from environmental advocates, such as Christoph Bals of Germanwatch, who highlight the injustice faced by those not contributing to climate change yet suffering its consequences.
RWE has expressed concerns that a ruling in favor of Lliuya could set a hazardous legal precedent, potentially holding corporations accountable under German law for environmental damage inflicted abroad. Previous rulings have noted the difficulty in linking specific emissions to particular damage, a judgment that may be re-evaluated in this case amid the increasing frequency of climate-related lawsuits worldwide.
In summary, Saul Luciano Lliuya’s legal battle against RWE signifies a growing trend where individuals seek accountability from corporations for environmental damages. With claims rooted in substantial scientific assessments of carbon emissions, this case raises significant questions about corporate responsibility in the context of global climate change. The court’s decision could potentially influence future environmental litigation.
Original Source: www.france24.com
