German court rules against Peruvian farmer in landmark climate lawsuit
A German court has ruled against a Peruvian farmer in a landmark climate lawsuit where he claimed that global warming fuelled by energy company RWE's historical greenhouse gas emissions put his home at risk.
Farmer and mountain guide Saul Luciano Lliuya said that glaciers above his hometown of Huaraz, Peru, are melting, increasing the risk of catastrophic flooding.
Advertisement
RWE, which has never operated in Peru, denies legal responsibility, arguing that climate change is a global issue caused by many contributors.
The state court in Hamm, in western Germany, dismissed the lawsuit on Wednesday. The case has been going on for a decade. Mr Lliuya cannot appeal the ruling further.
Experts said that the case had the potential to set a significant precedent in the fight to hold major polluters accountable for climate change.
RWE argued that the lawsuit is legally inadmissible and that it sets a dangerous precedent by holding individual emitters accountable for global climate change.
Advertisement
It insists climate solutions should be addressed through state and international policies, not the courts.
Judges and experts from Germany visited Peru in 2022.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Marco Rubio sanctions ICC for targeting US and Israel
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced his department will impose sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for "illegitimate" targeting of Israel and the sanctions are in response to the ICC issuing arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu, and its investigation into alleged US war crimes in four judges named are all women: Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of ICC has responded in a statement, saying it "deplores" the sanctions which are "a clear attempt to undermine" its independence. The measures require all property and interests owned by the judges in the US to be blocked and reported to the Treasury department. In a statement, Rubio accused the judges of "illegitimate and baseless actions" targeting Israel and the US."These four individuals have actively engaged in the ICC's illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel," he also described the ICC as "politicized" and said it "falsely claims unfettered discretion" to investigate nationals of the US and its allies."This dangerous assertion and abuse of power infringes upon the sovereignty and national security of the United States and our allies, including Israel."In its response, the ICC said it "stands fully behind its personnel" and will continue its work "undeterred"."Targeting those working for accountability does nothing to help civilians trapped in conflict," the court said."These sanctions are not only directed at designated individuals, they also target all those who support the Court... They are aimed against innocent victims in all Situations before the Court."The ICC is a global court with the power to bring prosecutions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war year, it issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel's former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in arrest warrant for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif was also issued but Hamas later confirmed he was killed in an airstrike last judges said there were "reasonable grounds" the three men bore "criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the war between Israel and Israel and Hamas have rejected the February, US President Donald Trump imposed economic sanctions against the ICC, including against its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, and said the court had "abused its power".In Thursday's announcement, the US state department said two of the judges, Bossa and Ibáñez Carranza had authorised the ICC's investigation against US personnel in other two judges, Alapini Gansou and Hohler, had ruled to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Cardiff Capital Region hit with £5.25m Aberthaw power station settlement
Cardiff Capital Region hit with £5.25m Aberthaw power station settlement An independent investigation has been launched how the Cardiff Capital Region handed the process The Aberthaw Power Station pictured before its decommissioning Taxpayers will have to pay £5.25m bill after a regional body responsible for handling the Cardiff City Deal bungled the awarding of a demolition contract for Aberthaw power station. The Cardiff Capital Region, a public body which was set up to invest more than £500m in the south Wales as part of the 2016 City Deal, was taken to court over how it awarded a demolition contract for Aberthaw power station, the disused power station it controversially bought from energy giant RWE. The body, which represents 10 councils, lost a high-court legal challenge brought by a losing bidder, Brown and Mason Group, which concluded in February. Welsh Government has to plunder reserves to fill national insurance blackhole READ MORE: The former coal-powered station was acquired for £8m by the city region in 2022, with contractors Erith beginning demolition work last year. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The region's chair Mary Ann Brocklesby gave an update to the Senedd, telling the economy committee that a settlement of £5.25m had been agreed. Brown and Mason had previously said they were seeking £10m. It has yet to be clarified if the £5.25m includes legal costs. "I'm not able to say much more at this point because we are undergoing an independent review which we commissioned as political leaders to set in train precisely at the point that we knew we were going through a legal process," she said. Article continues below Cllr Brocklesby said: "We had to wait until that legal process was over before that independent review could start. "We are awaiting the findings which – subject to legal caveats – we will be making public." Kellie Beirne, chief executive of the south-east Wales corporate joint committee and Cardiff Capital Region, said: "We're taking this extremely seriously, we recognise the gravity of it and again yes, [it's] something that we don't come and report. "Apologies again for the short notice but we had clearance, we briefed our internal stakeholders and we felt it important to be as transparent as we possibly could by conveying that this morning at this committee." She said a full independent review has been ordered. "When that review concludes and we have findings, we'll be able to be much more open about what happened and take steps to ensure that this can't happen again," she said. Asked whether the court case has impinged on work at the 500-acre site, Cllr Brocklesby insisted: "No, it continues at pace." Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies said: "When you came before this committee in September 2023, Kellie you said that £40m is but a drop in the ocean. "I think the words you used were hundreds of millions of pounds will be required. Obviously, this court case has not helped instil confidence in the private sector in coming on board as partners... so, how are you progressing in that goal?" Cllr Brocklesby replied: "Let's look at the wider ecosystem of CCR: one of the absolute strengths of it is that we have people across the region who are highly valued within their own sectors... who are highly respected not just in Wales but globally." "In terms of the future of Aberthaw, it does actually look very bright and we're not feeling any effects from the impacts of this highly regrettable procurement issue." Article continues below Ms Beirne said Cardiff Capital Region does not have deep enough pockets for what Aberthawr requires following the initial demolition and remediation phase.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Regional body's bungled handling of contract will cost the taxpayer £5.25m
Regional body's bungled handling of contract will cost the taxpayer £5.25m An independent investigation has been launched how the Cardiff Capital Region handed the process Aberthaw Power Station (Image: John Myers ) Taxpayers will have to pay £5.25m bill after a regional body responsible for handling the Cardiff City Deal bungled the awarding of a demolition contract for Aberthaw power station. The Cardiff Capital Region, a public body which was set up to invest more than £500m in the south Wales as part of the 2016 City Deal, was taken to court over how it awarded a demolition contract for Aberthaw power station, the disused power station it controversially bought from energy giant RWE. The body, which represents 10 councils, lost a high-court legal challenge brought by a losing bidder, Brown and Mason Group, which concluded in February. The former coal-powered station was acquired for £8m by the city region in 2022, with contractors Erith beginning demolition work last year. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Today, the region's chair Mary Ann Brocklesby gave an update to the Senedd, telling the economy committee that a settlement of £5.25m had been agreed. Brown and Mason had previously said they were seeking £10m. "I'm not able to say much more at this point because we are undergoing an independent review which we commissioned as political leaders to set in train precisely at the point that we knew we were going through a legal process," she said. Article continues below Cllr Brocklesby said: "We had to wait until that legal process was over before that independent review could start. "We are awaiting the findings which – subject to legal caveats – we will be making public." Kellie Beirne, chief executive of the south-east Wales c orporate joint committee and Cardiff Capital Region, said: "We're taking this extremely seriously, we recognise the gravity of it and again yes, [it's] something that we don't come and report. "Apologies again for the short notice but we had clearance, we briefed our internal stakeholders and we felt it important to be as transparent as we possibly could by conveying that this morning at this committee." She said a full independent review has been ordered. "When that review concludes and we have findings, we'll be able to be much more open about what happened and take steps to ensure that this can't happen again," she said. Asked whether the court case has impinged on work at the 500-acre site, Cllr Brocklesby insisted: "No, it continues at pace." Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies said: "When you came before this committee in September 2023, Kellie you said that £40m is but a drop in the ocean. "I think the words you used were hundreds of millions of pounds will be required. Obviously, this court case has not helped instil confidence in the private sector in coming on board as partners… so, how are you progressing in that goal?" Cllr Brocklesby replied: "Let's look at the wider ecosystem of CCR: one of the absolute strengths of it is that we have people across the region who are highly valued within their own sectors… who are highly respected not just in Wales but globally." "In terms of the future of Aberthaw, it does actually look very bright and we're not feeling any effects from the impacts of this highly regrettable procurement issue." Article continues below Ms Beirne said Cardiff Capital Region does not have deep enough pockets for what Aberthawr requires following the initial demolition and remediation phase.
