Saul Luciano Lliuya, a Peruvian farmer, is pursuing legal action in Germany against energy company RWE, claiming it is partly responsible for climate change damage threatening his hometown. He seeks 17,000 euros for flood defense against a glacial lake. The case addresses corporate responsibility for carbon emissions and potential legal precedents in environmental accountability.
Saul Luciano Lliuya, a 44-year-old farmer from Peru, is involved in a significant legal confrontation at a German court against the energy corporation RWE. He alleges that as one of the leading global producers of carbon dioxide emissions, the company is partly accountable for climate change consequences impacting his hometown of Huaraz. Lliuya is seeking 17,000 euros ($18,400) to assist in flood prevention measures due to threats from a glacial lake that risks overflowing as a result of melting glaciers.
Lliuya’s campaign for accountability has progressed slowly since he initially filed his lawsuit in 2015; this was dismissed in 2016 by a court in Essen, Germany. However, a higher court in Hamm permitted an appeal in 2017. After disruptions caused by the pandemic, hearings are now set to take place, allowing Lliuya to present his case once more.
In determining the merits of the case, the court will assess whether Lliuya’s property faces a significant flooding risk. Experts have gathered evidence from the Ancash region, which will be reviewed during hearings. Lliuya supports his claim with a study indicating that RWE is responsible for 0.47 percent of global carbon emissions since the industrial era began, asserting they should contribute financially to mitigate the flooding risk.
RWE, though denying any operational ties to Peru, argues that a ruling in favor of Lliuya sets a dangerous legal precedent. A spokesperson for the company criticized the implications of linking foreign actions to local damages, stating such a ruling would misrepresent the social and political nature of environmental issues. In a prior judgment, the Essen court maintained the difficulty of linking specific emissions to resultant damage directly.
Saul Luciano Lliuya’s court case against RWE symbolizes a broader movement towards corporate accountability in addressing climate change impacts. The outcome could influence future international liability regarding environmental harm. The progression of this case highlights the challenges faced in linking emissions to specific damages and may set a precedent with significant ramifications beyond this particular dispute.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
