The Higher Regional Court of Hamm is trialing a climate lawsuit from Peruvian farmer Saúl Lliuya against RWE, claiming that the company’s emissions contribute to climate-related risks in his area. The case upholds the ‘polluter pays principle’ and may signify a shift in global accountability for fossil fuel companies. A ruling is anticipated on April 14, 2025.
On March 19, 2025, the Higher Regional Court of Hamm conducted a significant climate case, where Peruvian farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya sued German energy giant RWE. A ruling on this pivotal case will be announced on April 14, 2025. The case emphasizes the ‘polluter pays principle,’ marking a global shift in holding fossil fuel corporations accountable for climate damage.
Sebastien Duyck, Senior Attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), remarked that this hearing signifies a transformational moment in climate litigation. He asserted that a fossil fuel corporation facing legal scrutiny for its role in climate harm indicates a decisive end to the industry’s long-standing impunity.
RWE’s legal team attempted to dismiss the precedent set in 2017, using typical defenses employed by polluting industries to evade responsibility. This move underscores the fossil fuel industry’s anxiety over potential future rulings that could reinforce their culpability for climate-related harms.
Nikki Reisch, CIEL’s Climate & Energy Program Director, described the hearings as a powerful legacy for ongoing climate litigation globally, affirming the legal implications of major polluters’ contributions to climate degradation. She warns the fossil fuel industry and its investors that evasion of climate accountability is impossible, as advancing litigation symbolizes a shift towards seeking justice for affected communities.
Since 2015, Lliuya’s case has highlighted the connection between RWE’s global emissions (0.47%) and the glacier melt causing flood risks in his hometown of Huaraz, Peru. Lliuya seeks $21,000 in damages to fund necessary flood protection measures, drawing attention to the real-world impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. The court’s acceptance of the case in 2017 already set a significant precedent, acknowledging corporate liability for climate-related damages.
The ongoing hearings in Hamm represent a crucial development in climate accountability, emphasizing that fossil fuel corporations may be held liable for their contributions to climate change. This case not only seeks compensation for flood protection but also sets a transformative legal precedent. With a ruling expected soon, the potential for increased accountability in the fossil fuel industry looms larger than ever, sending a clear message to both polluters and investors.
Original Source: www.ciel.org
