Peruvian Farmer Seeks Climate Justice from German Energy Giant RWE

Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya is suing German energy company RWE, seeking €17,000 for flood defenses in Huaraz, threatened by a melting glacier lake. His case argues that RWE shares responsibility for climate change due to its carbon emissions. Although dismissed in 2016, an appeal has been accepted, with hearings examining the risk to Lliuya’s property and RWE’s liability. The case could set a significant legal precedent.

Saul Luciano Lliuya, a 44-year-old farmer from Peru, is pursuing legal action against the German energy company RWE, arguing that they must contribute to mitigating the climate crisis affecting his hometown, Huaraz. He is demanding €17,000 ($18,400) to assist in flood defenses against a glacier lake threatening to overflow due to increased melting caused by rising temperatures, which he attributes in part to RWE’s carbon emissions.

Lliuya’s legal battle began in 2015 but faced setbacks, with an initial case dismissed in 2016 by a court in Essen, where RWE is based. An appeal was later accepted in 2017 by the Hamm court, and hearings are now scheduled to assess the risk to Lliuya’s property. Expert testimonies are being sought to evaluate the flood risk and examine any responsibility of RWE regarding the situation.

Central to Lliuya’s claim is a 2014 study indicating that RWE has accounted for 0.47% of global carbon emissions since industrialization. He argues that the company should therefore contribute to the financial costs of managing Lake Palcacocha, estimated at €3.5 million. Christoph Bals from Germanwatch notes that Lliuya’s plight highlights the injustice faced by communities in developing regions who are suffering the consequences of climate change while they have contributed little to its cause.

RWE contends that a ruling in favor of Lliuya could establish a troubling precedent regarding accountability for environmental damages occurring internationally. They assert that it is legally impermissible to connect specific emissions from their operations to direct harm suffered in other countries. The outcomes of these hearings could potentially alter legal perspectives amidst global discussions on climate responsibility, with various climate-damage cases currently underway worldwide.

The ongoing lawsuit by Saul Luciano Lliuya against RWE embodies the struggle for climate justice, as he seeks accountability from a major carbon emitter for the environmental risks faced by his community in Peru. The case raises critical questions regarding the responsibility of corporations in the local impacts of climate change, highlighting the challenges faced by vulnerable communities. As the court proceedings unfold, they may set a precedent for future climate-related litigation, emphasizing the interconnectedness of global emissions and local consequences.

Original Source: www.cnhinews.com