Peruvian Farmer Pursues Climate Justice Against German Energy Giant RWE
A Peruvian farmer is suing German energy giant RWE, claiming it is responsible for climate change damages affecting his hometown. He seeks funding for flood defenses, asserting RWE’s contribution to global emissions. The case, supported by Germanwatch, may set a precedent for climate justice worldwide. Hearings are scheduled for March in Germany to assess the evidence’s admissibility.
A Peruvian farmer is initiating legal action against a German energy corporation, RWE, in a case seen as a “David and Goliath” confrontation regarding climate change repercussions. Saul Luciano Lliuya, aged 44, asserts that RWE, known for being one of the highest emitters of carbon dioxide worldwide, bears responsibility for contributing to the risks his hometown, Huaraz, faces from an unstable glacier lake due to melting ice and snow.
In anticipation of judicial proceedings scheduled from March 17-19 in Hamm, Germany, Mr. Lliuya expressed his conviction in the German legal system at a press conference held in Lima. “I have full confidence in these processes,” he stated. He is seeking approximately 17,000 euros (about $18,400) from RWE to assist in constructing flood defenses in Ancash, Peru.
Mr. Lliuya’s lawsuit is founded on a 2013 climate study indicating that RWE is responsible for roughly 0.5 percent of global emissions from the onset of industrialization. Although an initial case was dismissed in 2016, a higher court later acknowledged an appeal in 2017. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a visit to Lake Palcacocha and its glaciers by German legal experts occurred in 2022 to examine the issue firsthand.
The forthcoming hearings will address the admissibility of the gathered evidence. The environmental organization Germanwatch supports Mr. Lliuya’s case; attorney Andrea Tang noted that this legal undertaking could significantly influence climate justice cases globally. RWE, which maintains that it has adhered to emission regulations and aims to achieve CO2 neutrality by 2040, is perplexed by the legal action against it, asserting it has never operated in Peru.
Saul Luciano Lliuya’s pursuit of legal action against RWE highlights a pivotal moment in climate justice, emphasizing the responsibilities of large corporations in addressing climate change impacts. The proceedings in Hamm will be crucial in determining the case’s progression and potential implications for future legal frameworks concerning climate accountability. Mr. Lliuya’s assertion of responsibility onto RWE may set a significant precedent for similar cases worldwide.
Original Source: www.mdjonline.com
