Saúl Luciano Lliuya - an Andean farmer and mountain guide from Peru - and with him more than 50,000 inhabitants of the Andean city of Huaraz are acutely threatened by a flood wave due to the consequences of global warming. A glacial lake above the city has grown threateningly due to glacial melt. An ice avalanche could cause the lake to overflow and trigger a destructive tidal wave.
Saúl Luciano Lliuya decided to take initiative. On November 24, 2015, he filed a lawsuit against the energy company RWE in a German civil court. As one of the largest CO2 emitters in Europe, RWE is partly responsible for the climate crisis and the threat posed by the flood wave in Huaraz.
Saúl Luciano Lliuya is concerned about the urgently needed protection for himself, his family as well as the people in Huaraz, who have contributed little or nothing to the climate crisis.
Nine years after the lawsuit was filed, the long-awaited hearing will take place on March 17th and 19th at the Higher Regional Court in Hamm.
For more information, please have a look at the external page “The climate case - Saúl vs. RWE”, where you can find the latest updates on the case, more detailed information on the hearing, the background and the legal aspects.
Short documentary
You are also welcome to watch our short documentary on the background, history and current status of the case:
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"I am happy to have become active and it overwhelms me how much interest and support I have received in my country and around the world. This gives me the courage and strength to move forward. Climate change affects all countries in the world. Therefore we have to stand up for justice."
Saúl Luciano Lliuya
21.03.2015
