Fossil fuel companies are facing increasing lawsuits worldwide as governments and courts seek to hold them responsible for their role in climate change. A recent German court ruling has set a precedent, with Saúl Luciano Lliuya claiming that RWE’s historical greenhouse gas emissions have threatened his home in Huaraz.
Lliuya argues that the melting of glaciers above his hometown is increasing the risk of catastrophic flooding. However, RWE denies legal responsibility, citing global causes of climate change and the involvement of multiple contributors.
Experts say this case has significant potential to set a precedent for holding major polluters accountable. Other notable cases include:
– The Dutch Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that ordered Shell to cut carbon emissions by 45% by 2030.
– A court in The Hague ordering the government to reduce emissions by at least 25% from benchmark levels in 2020.
The United Nations’ top court has been hearing cases related to climate change, including a request for an opinion on “the obligations of States in respect of climate change.” Any decision could serve as a basis for other legal actions, including domestic lawsuits.
In the US, dozens of states and local governments have filed lawsuits against fossil fuel companies, alleging they misled the public about climate change risks. The Department of Justice has also intervened in some cases, suing Hawaii and Michigan to prevent them from seeking damages from fossil fuel companies.
As courts continue to weigh the issue, it’s clear that fossil fuel companies are facing increasing scrutiny for their role in climate change.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-lawsuits-fossil-fuels-0c88498ea700708f66d4120e48243fca