Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya is suing RWE in Germany, claiming the company’s carbon emissions are contributing to dangerous glacial melting in Peru, threatening catastrophic flooding for his community. The case may set a precedent for holding major polluters accountable for climate change. RWE denies liability, arguing climate change is influenced by numerous global factors.
A significant climate lawsuit is proceeding in Germany, where Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya has taken legal action against the German energy company RWE. He claims the company’s historical greenhouse gas emissions have exacerbated global warming, resulting in dangerous glacial melt in his hometown of Huaraz, Peru. Lliuya’s lawsuit contends that this accelerated melting threatens to flood his community due to the swelling of Lake Palcacocha.
The proceedings, taking place at the state court in Hamm, mark a pivotal moment in climate accountability, according to experts. Lliuya asserts, “The glaciers are melting, are disappearing bit by bit. Some lakes, lakes like Palcacocha — it’s a risk to me, to more than 50,000 people who live in the zone at risk.” RWE, however, denies liability, highlighting that climate change is a global concern influenced by multiple sources.
Lead counsel Roda Verheyen expresses cautious optimism regarding the trial, noting, “There is no time to be lost, because the glaciers are melting every day.” She emphasizes that RWE remains one of Europe’s largest CO2 emitters, and this case could serve as a precedent for future litigation against other polluters.
RWE maintains its position that the lawsuit is legally inadmissible, arguing that it sets a precedent that could unjustly hold specific emitters accountable for the larger issue of climate change. They advocate for addressing climate solutions through governmental and international policies rather than judicial action.
Notably, the court has previously sent judges and experts to Peru to examine the situation. They are now reviewing expert testimonies related to the implications of glacial melt for Lliuya’s property, with a verdict anticipated possibly in the coming days.
The ongoing case of Saul Luciano Lliuya against RWE represents a critical moment in climate litigation, potentially shaping future accountability for corporate polluters. While Lliuya emphasizes the immediate threats posed to his community by climate change, RWE’s response underscores the complexities and global dimensions of such environmental issues. As this trial unfolds, it could influence both judicial and political approaches to climate responsibility.
Original Source: apnews.com
