Peruvian Farmer Pursues Climate Justice Against RWE
Saul Luciano Lliuya, a Peruvian farmer, is suing RWE for climate justice, requesting €17,000 to protect his town from flooding due to rising glacier lake levels. Lliuya argues RWE shares responsibility for climate risks linked to fossil fuel emissions. The case could set a legal precedent regarding international accountability for environmental damage as hearings resume post-Covid delays.
A Peruvian farmer, Saul Luciano Lliuya, is taking legal action against the German energy company RWE, seeking what he terms “climate justice.” He asserts that RWE, a major carbon dioxide emitter, should contribute to the costs necessary for protecting his hometown, Huaraz, from a potentially dangerous swollen glacier lake caused by climate change impacts. Lliuya has requested that RWE pay €17,000 ($18,400) to help finance flood defences for the community, which he argues is partially at risk due to the company’s fossil fuel-related activities.
Lliuya, aged 44, emphasizes the gravity of the situation, noting, “The reality is the glaciers are melting… and that has consequences.” He is particularly concerned for the safety of over 50,000 residents in his area. This lawsuit represents a long-fought legal battle; he initially filed in 2015, but it was dismissed in 2016 until the Hamm court allowed an appeal in 2017. Legal hearings have resumed, with important discussions about the flooding risks expected to conclude by the end of next year.
Central to Lliuya’s lawsuit is a study from 2014 that attributes 0.47% of global carbon emissions since the beginning of the industrial age to RWE. He argues that the company, which has never operated in Peru, should cover that portion of the €3.5 million cost required to lower the waters of Lake Palcacocha. RWE, which has a diverse energy portfolio including fossil fuels and renewable sources, contends that a ruling in Lliuya’s favor could set a concerning legal precedent regarding accountability for environmental consequences internationally.
Environmental advocate Christoph Bals, from Germanwatch, supports Lliuya’s case, stating that local farmers feel unjustly burdened by climate change impacts for which they bear no responsibility. On the other hand, RWE’s representatives argue that linking specific emissions to direct damages is legally untenable. The Hamm court’s upcoming decision may indeed challenge previous legal perspectives on climate-related liability, especially as similar cases are emerging across the globe.
In summary, the case highlights the complex interrelation of climate change, corporate responsibility, and international law. As Lliuya seeks compensation to protect his community from climate-inflicted dangers, the implications of the court’s ruling may influence future climate justice cases worldwide.
This ongoing legal case by Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya against RWE underscores the urgency of addressing climate change impacts and corporate accountability. Lliuya calls for financial support to safeguard his community from the detrimental effects of climate change, citing substantial evidence linking RWE to global emissions. As the case unfolds, it may pave the way for future climate-related litigation and shape the legal landscape on environmental responsibility.
Original Source: www.cnhinews.com
