Saul Luciano Lliuya, a Peruvian farmer, is suing German energy firm RWE for contributions towards flood defenses in his hometown, claiming the company is partly responsible for climate change risks. This case highlights the intersection of corporate accountability and environmental responsibility in global legal frameworks.
On Monday in Germany, Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya initiated legal proceedings against energy giant RWE, alleging that the company should contribute to climate change mitigation efforts in his hometown, Huaraz. Lliuya is pursuing €17,000 (approximately $18,400) to fund flood defense mechanisms, arguing that RWE’s substantial carbon emissions contribute to the dangers posed by a glacier lake that threatens to overflow due to climate change. “What I am asking is for the company to take responsibility for part of the construction costs,” he articulated during a press conference in Lima.
Lliuya’s case has progressed slowly since he first filed a suit in 2015, which was dismissed in 2016 by a court in Essen, Germany. However, a higher court in Hamm later permitted an appeal, and hearings are set to take place from Monday to Wednesday. “I would never have thought that it would all take so long,” said Lliuya, reflecting on the lengthy legal journey, which faced delays due to the Covid pandemic.
The current hearing will determine whether Lliuya’s property in Peru’s Ancash region is at a significant risk of flooding, based on evidence provided by experts who assessed the situation in 2022. If flooding risk is established, the subsequent hearings will explore RWE’s liability linked to its emissions, which are purportedly responsible for 0.47% of global carbon emissions since the industrial era.
RWE, which relies on diverse energy sources such as solar, wind, gas, and coal, argues that holding it accountable under German law for environmental damage in foreign countries would be unprecedented. “We think that is legally inadmissible and the wrong way to address this issue socially and politically,” explained an RWE spokesperson. The significance of this case is underscored by the widespread global litigation on climate damages, with 43 similar cases presently ongoing.
Saul Luciano Lliuya’s legal battle against RWE signifies a pivotal moment in climate accountability, as he seeks to compel the energy company to contribute to flood defenses in his Peruvian hometown. His case reflects broader issues surrounding corporate responsibility for carbon emissions and highlights the complexities of environmental litigation on a global scale. The outcome of these hearings may set important legal precedents for similar future cases.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
