Saul Luciano Lliuya, a Peruvian farmer, is suing German energy giant RWE for its role in climate change, which he claims endangers his hometown of Huaraz due to melting glaciers. He seeks approximately €17,000 from RWE for protective measures against flooding from Lake Palcacocha. The case, now at Hamm court, may set a precedent for corporate accountability in environmental issues.
A legal hearing commenced at the Higher Regional Court of Hamm, Germany, concerning a lawsuit by Peruvian mountain guide and farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya against the German energy firm RWE. Lliuya contends that RWE, a significant carbon dioxide emitter, is responsible for the melting glaciers in the Andes, threatening his hometown of Huaraz with potential flooding from the glacial lake Palcacocha.
Lliuya claims that RWE’s electricity production contributes to the melting glaciers, which have already raised the water levels of the Palcacocha lake dangerously multiple times. He is demanding that RWE share costs for protective measures against flooding, proposing approximately €17,000 to aid in the construction of a dam, as part of a broader €3.5 million safety initiative.
Rooted in a study indicating that RWE accounts for 0.47% of global carbon emissions since the industrial era, Lliuya’s lawsuit represents a pivotal moment in climate justice. RWE’s operations, while not active in Peru, are considered to have implications due to their carbon footprint, and Lliuya emphasizes the necessity for accountability from such companies regarding their environmental impact.
Having initially filed his lawsuit in 2015, Lliuya faced initial dismissal in Essen. However, an appeal accepted in 2017 allowed for evidence collection, and recent expert assessments of Lake Palcacocha were conducted following COVID-19-related delays. The current hearings seek to establish the risk level to Lliuya’s property before addressing potential liability for RWE.
Legal observers note that the implications of this case may set a precedent for corporate accountability in environmental matters extending beyond national borders. RWE has indicated concern over the potential legal implications of any ruling against it, aiming to emphasize the challenges of linking specific emissions to discrete damage. The legal proceedings, while ongoing and challenging, highlight the urgency of climate-related issues faced globally and the need for responsible action from major corporations.
In conclusion, the case of Saul Luciano Lliuya against RWE underscores the urgent need for climate justice and accountability within the corporate sector. As the proceedings unfold, the potential implications for environmental liability and justice could indeed set a benchmark for future corporate responsibilities regarding climate change impacts across borders. This movement emphasizes not only the risks faced by communities like Huaraz but also the global need for responsible environmental stewardship.
Original Source: andina.pe
