Saul Luciano Lliuya, a Peruvian farmer, is suing German energy firm RWE for climate change damages, seeking funding for flood defenses in Huaraz. He expresses confidence in the German legal system ahead of hearings scheduled from March 17-19. The case, supported by Germanwatch, has the potential to set a precedent for climate justice litigation globally, while RWE defends its compliance with emissions guidelines.
A Peruvian farmer is engaged in a significant legal battle against the German energy company RWE regarding climate change damages. Saul Luciano Lliuya, aged 44, expresses strong confidence in the German legal system as he prepares for a hearing scheduled from March 17-19 in Hamm. His lawsuit aims to hold RWE accountable for contributing to climate change, specifically to fund flood defenses against a glacier lake threatening his hometown, Huaraz.
Lliuya seeks approximately 17,000 euros (around $18,400) from RWE to assist in constructing flood protection measures, such as a dike. He asserts that RWE’s historical carbon emissions, estimated at 0.5 percent of global emissions since industrialization began, warrant their financial responsibility in mitigating climate impacts in Peru.
Initially, Lliuya filed the lawsuit in 2015, but it was dismissed by an Essen court in 2016. Following an appeal, a higher court in Hamm allowed the case to proceed in 2017. In 2022, experts and judges visited Lake Palcacocha to evaluate the ongoing situation, and the upcoming hearings will determine the validity of the evidence gathered.
Supported by the environmental organization Germanwatch, Lliuya’s case has the potential to establish a significant precedent in climate justice. Andrea Tang, a lawyer from Germanwatch, remarked that this case could influence future climate justice claims globally. Meanwhile, RWE maintains that it adheres to emission regulations and questions the rationale behind being the target of this legal action.
Saul Luciano Lliuya’s impending lawsuit against RWE represents a pivotal moment in climate justice litigation, seeking accountability from a major emitter for its contributions to climate-related risks. As the hearings approach, the outcome may redefine legal responsibilities regarding climate change, potentially influencing similar cases worldwide. RWE’s argument that it maintains compliance with emissions guidelines highlights the complexities of international climate litigation as it evolves.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
