Saul Luciano Lliuya, a Peruvian farmer, is suing the German energy company RWE for climate change damages. He seeks 17,000 euros for flood defenses due to risks from melting glaciers. His case, supported by Germanwatch, has the potential to establish a new precedent in climate justice as it moves through the legal system in Germany.
Saul Luciano Lliuya, a 44-year-old farmer from Peru, is preparing for a significant legal battle against RWE, a German energy corporation, regarding climate change repercussions. He emphasizes his complete confidence in the German justice system as he seeks approximately 17,000 euros ($18,400) to aid in constructing flood defenses for his community of Huaraz, which is threatened by a swollen glacier lake. Lliuya asserts that RWE, as a major emitter of greenhouse gases, should contribute to safeguarding his homeland from climatic hazards.
Lliuya’s case is rooted in a 2013 climate study indicating that RWE has been responsible for approximately 0.5 percent of global emissions since industrialization. Initial legal proceedings against RWE in 2015 ended in dismissal; however, an appeal was accepted by the Hamm higher court in 2017. Recently, experts and judges from Germany visited Lake Palcacocha and its glaciers to evaluate the environmental situation following a disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The upcoming hearings scheduled between March 17-19 will address the admissibility of the evidence gathered.
The environmental NGO Germanwatch supports Lliuya’s case, which lawyer Andrea Tang asserts marks a pivotal moment for climate justice, being the first case at this evidentiary stage. She highlights its potential to establish precedence for similar cases globally. RWE, although asserting its compliance with emissions guidelines and commitment to achieving CO2 neutrality by 2040, remains perplexed about the legal actions directed towards it, given that the company has never operated in Peru.
In conclusion, Saul Luciano Lliuya’s case against RWE symbolizes a critical intersection of environmental accountability and legal recourse against major polluters. His efforts, backed by a notable NGO, may set a precedent for climate-related litigations worldwide. As the legal proceedings unfold in Germany, they hold significant implications for the future of climate justice on a global scale.
Original Source: www.mdjonline.com
