Saul Luciano Lliuya is pursuing a lawsuit against German energy company RWE to hold them accountable for climate change impacts affecting his hometown in Peru. He seeks compensation for flood defenses linked to RWE’s carbon emissions. The case could set a significant precedent for climate justice as it progresses through the German legal system, with hearings slated for March 17-19, 2025.
Saul Luciano Lliuya, a 44-year-old Peruvian farmer, is preparing for a significant legal battle against the German energy company RWE, focusing on climate change damage. Lliuya claims that RWE, as one of the leading emitters of carbon dioxide, should contribute to the expenses required to protect his hometown, Huaraz, from the dangers posed by a melting glacier lake. He expresses “full confidence” in the German legal system ahead of the hearings scheduled for March 17-19 in Hamm, Germany.
Lliuya seeks approximately 17,000 euros ($18,400) from RWE to help construct flood defenses such as a dike for his community. He bases his claims on a 2013 study indicating that RWE is responsible for about 0.5 percent of global emissions since industrialization began. While Lliuya filed his original lawsuit in 2015, a lower court dismissed it in 2016. However, an appeal was later accepted by a higher court.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, German legal experts visited Lake Palcacocha and the surrounding glaciers in 2022 to evaluate the critical situation. The upcoming hearings are crucial as they will determine if the collected evidence can be admitted into the case. The legal action is supported by the environmental NGO Germanwatch, with lawyer Andrea Tang highlighting its unprecedented nature in advancing climate justice.
RWE asserts it has adhered to environmental regulations and aims to achieve CO2 neutrality by 2040. The firm has expressed confusion regarding the lawsuit, stating it does not comprehend the rationale for being targeted with legal action despite having no operations in Peru.
The litigation initiated by Saul Luciano Lliuya against RWE represents a crucial moment in the intersection of environmental accountability and legal recourse. As the hearings approach, they will determine whether the evidence collected can be utilized in court, potentially setting a vital precedent for future climate justice cases. The outcome may not only impact Lliuya’s community but also influence climate-related legal frameworks on a global scale, emphasizing the urgent need for corporate responsibility in reducing emissions.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
