In a significant ruling, a higher regional court in Hamm, Germany, has dismissed the climate lawsuit brought forth by Saúl Luciano Lliuya, a farmer from Peru, against energy conglomerate RWE. Mr. Lliuya contended that the company's greenhouse gas emissions contributed to the melting of glaciers in the Andean region, posing a flooding threat to his hometown of Huaraz. He sought €17,000 (£14,250) to fund flood defenses but faced an uphill battle as the court ruled that the flood risk was not substantial enough to warrant further legal action.
RWE defended its position by stating that it doesn't operate in Peru and outlined its commitment to phase out coal power and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. Despite the ruling against Mr. Lliuya, the climate activism community found some merit in the court's acknowledgment that energy companies could face liability for their carbon emissions.
The implications of this case extend beyond individual claims, as it has become a symbolic fight for climate accountability. Lliuya, a 44-year-old mountain guide, has observed firsthand the tragic effects of climate change on local glaciers and emphasized the dangers posed by the significantly increased water levels in Lake Palcacocha, which have quadrupled since 2003.
Initially dismissed in 2015, Lliuya's case gained momentum in 2017 when the higher court recognized its potential merit, highlighting RWE's contribution of 0.5% to global CO2 emissions. The latest ruling, while not in Mr. Lliuya's favor, has been characterized as historic by organizations like Germanwatch, an environmental NGO that supported his efforts, as it opens the door for future litigation against major emitters in Germany.
This outcome may set a precedent for similar cases globally, raising hopes among climate activists that accountability for climate change might become a central legal issue.
RWE defended its position by stating that it doesn't operate in Peru and outlined its commitment to phase out coal power and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. Despite the ruling against Mr. Lliuya, the climate activism community found some merit in the court's acknowledgment that energy companies could face liability for their carbon emissions.
The implications of this case extend beyond individual claims, as it has become a symbolic fight for climate accountability. Lliuya, a 44-year-old mountain guide, has observed firsthand the tragic effects of climate change on local glaciers and emphasized the dangers posed by the significantly increased water levels in Lake Palcacocha, which have quadrupled since 2003.
Initially dismissed in 2015, Lliuya's case gained momentum in 2017 when the higher court recognized its potential merit, highlighting RWE's contribution of 0.5% to global CO2 emissions. The latest ruling, while not in Mr. Lliuya's favor, has been characterized as historic by organizations like Germanwatch, an environmental NGO that supported his efforts, as it opens the door for future litigation against major emitters in Germany.
This outcome may set a precedent for similar cases globally, raising hopes among climate activists that accountability for climate change might become a central legal issue.
