The Higher Regional Court of Hamm is adjudicating a landmark climate case filed by Peruvian farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya against RWE, emphasizing the polluter pays principle. This case could mark a turning point in holding fossil fuel companies accountable for climate damage, with a ruling expected on April 14, 2025. CIEL representatives stress the significance of these hearings for global climate justice and industry accountability.
The Higher Regional Court of Hamm is currently deliberating on a significant climate litigation case initiated by Peruvian mountain guide Saúl Luciano Lliuya against the German energy company RWE. This landmark hearing, which is expected to conclude with a decision on April 14, 2025, reinforces the principle that polluters must pay for the harm they cause, thereby initiating a global shift in accountability for fossil fuel corporations.
Sebastien Duyck, Senior Attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), emphasized the transformative nature of this case. He stated that holding a major fossil fuel company accountable in court signifies a turning point in climate litigation and marks the decline of industry impunity. He also noted RWE’s desperate attempts to evade accountability through familiar arguments that the industry has historically utilized.
Nikki Reisch, CIEL’s Climate & Energy Program Director, reiterated the importance of these hearings, stating they send a powerful message to communities and legal entities worldwide. She highlighted that the legal ramifications for major polluters are becoming increasingly evident, urging the fossil fuel industry and investors to acknowledge that accountability for climate change is unavoidable.
The case revolves around Lliuya’s claim that RWE’s substantial contribution to greenhouse gas emissions—amounting to 0.47 percent of global emissions—has directly impacted the glacier melt and flood risks near his home in Huaraz, Peru. He seeks compensation of $21,000 to fund necessary flood protection measures. In 2017, the court deemed the case admissible, establishing that corporations can be held liable for climate damage, thus paving the way for the current hearings.
In conclusion, the hearings at the Higher Regional Court of Hamm represent a pivotal moment in the pursuit of climate justice. Saúl Luciano Lliuya’s case against RWE not only reaffirms the polluter pays principle but also sends a clear message to the fossil fuel industry regarding the inevitable legal consequences of their actions. This case could signal a new era of accountability, transforming the landscape of climate litigation and inspiring similar efforts globally.
Original Source: www.ciel.org
