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HAMM, Germany (AP) \u2014 A German court on Monday started hearing a Peruvian farmer’s case against major energy company RWE, a lawsuit arguing that global warming fueled by the firm’s historical greenhouse gas emissions ultimately poses a risk to his home.<\/p>\n
Experts say the case at the state court in Hamm, in western Germany, could set a significant precedent<\/a> in the fight to hold major polluters accountable for climate change<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sa\u00fal Luciano Lliuya’s lawsuit against RWE<\/a> argues that the company\u2019s historical greenhouse gas emissions have fueled global warming, accelerating glacial melt above his hometown<\/a> of Huaraz, Peru. As a result, Lake Palcacocha has swelled to dangerous levels, threatening the community with the risk of catastrophic flooding.<\/p>\n RWE, which has never operated in Peru, denies legal responsibility, arguing that climate change is a global issue caused by many contributors.<\/p>\n The mountains, glaciers and lakes \u201cgive us water, give us life,\u201d Lliuya said outside the courthouse, standing in front of photos of glaciers in the shape of mountains. But \u201cthe glaciers are melting, are disappearing bit by bit. Some lakes, lakes like Palcacocha \u2014 it’s a risk to me, to more than 50,000 people who live in the zone at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have waited 10 years for this day, this decisive day,\u201d he said to cheers from supporters. \u201cI’m very excited; I hope that everything goes well.\u201d<\/p>\n The lead lawyer in the complaint, Roda Verheyen, said she was \u201ccalm but hopeful.\u201d She said that \u201cthere is no time to be lost, because the glaciers are melting every day.\u201d<\/p>\n RWE \u201cis still one of the biggest emitters of CO2 in all of Europe,\u201d Verheyen said. \u201cThis is only a very first step \u2014 a trampoline for further cases of this kind\u201d that could target other emitters.<\/p>\n RWE argues that the lawsuit is legally inadmissible and that it sets a dangerous precedent by holding individual emitters accountable for global climate change. It insists climate solutions should be addressed through state and international policies, not the courts.<\/p>\n Judges and experts from Germany visited Peru in 2022, and the court is expected to consider on Monday and Wednesday expert reports on the possible risks to Lliuya’s house. It wasn’t immediately clear whether it will announce its conclusions on the case this week.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n The Associated Press\u2019 climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP\u2019s standards<\/a> for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n