Peruvian farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya is suing RWE in Germany, claiming the company’s greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change dangers, including glacier melt threatening his home in Huaraz, Peru. This pivotal case may set legal precedent in holding major polluters accountable. RWE denies responsibility, insisting climate action should be handled through policy rather than courts.
Saúl Luciano Lliuya, a Peruvian farmer, is taking the German energy corporation RWE to court in Hamm, Germany, as part of a crucial climate lawsuit that may establish a significant legal precedent. His case argues that RWE’s historical greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to global warming, resulting in hazardous glacial melting that threatens his hometown of Huaraz, Peru, particularly increasing the risks posed by Lake Palcacocha’s swelling levels.
During the initial hearing, Lliuya expressed the urgent need to address the impact of climate change, emphasizing the risk posed to over 50,000 individuals living in vulnerable areas near the glacier. He stated, “The glaciers are melting, are disappearing bit by bit.. it’s a risk to me, to more than 50,000 people who live in the zone at risk.” Lliuya, who has waited a decade for this trial, described the occasion as “this decisive day.”
Roda Verheyen, Lliuya’s lead attorney, articulated a sense of hope for the trial, citing the immediate need for action given the ongoing glacier melt. She mentioned, “There is no time to be lost, because the glaciers are melting every day,” referring to RWE’s status as a major carbon dioxide emitter in Europe. Verheyen considers the case as an initial step towards holding other major polluters accountable.
RWE contends that the lawsuit is inadmissible; they argue that climate change involves numerous global contributors, asserting that accountability should not fall on individual emitters. Instead, RWE advocates for resolutions through state and international policy frameworks. The court is reviewing expert opinions regarding the dangers posed to Lliuya’s residence, but it is unclear when a ruling will be issued.
The case brought by Saúl Luciano Lliuya against RWE is pivotal in the effort to hold polluting corporations accountable for their contribution to climate change. While Lliuya expresses hope for justice and a protective resolution for his community, RWE maintains a stance against legal responsibility. This trial’s outcome may influence future legal strategies aimed at addressing global warming and corporate accountability on an expansive scale.
Original Source: apnews.com
