The climate case
Current status of the lawsuit
On March 17 and 19 the hearings took place at the Higher Regional Court in Hamm.
Postponement of the announcement date in the climate case Saúl Luciano Lliuya vs RWE, originally scheduled on April 14, 2025 at Hamm Higher Regional Court
The court has decided to postpone the announcement date in the procedure of Saúl Luciano Lliuya against RWE.
The plaintiff's side has received information in the last few days that requires clarification. In order to make this possible, an application for alleged bias was filed in time. The court has now given the parties and the court expert the opportunity to review this information. The further procedure is in the hands of the court.
We ask for your understanding that we will not comment on this matter in the interest of the plaintiff and the proceedings and refer to the court's communication.
The announcement date originally scheduled for April 14, 2025 was postponed by the Higher Regional Court of Hamm to May 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Saúl Luciano Lliuya vs. RWE
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.
The major polluters of climate change must finally face up to their responsibilities.
Saúl Luciano Lliuya
“A man who takes responsibility”
Climate change plaintiff Saúl Luciano Lliuya at a demonstration.
Luciano Lliuya’s lawsuit has had a signal effect like no other climate lawsuit, as it is the world’s only such case involving corporate liability for climate risks to make it to an evidentiary hearing, thus already making legal history.
Luciano Lliuya is not a lone fighter. He represents a growing number of people who, faced with inadequate political and corporate responses to the climate crisis, are increasingly turning to the world’s courts and demanding climate justice. Their lawsuits give a voice to those whom climate impacts particularly affect, even though these people have contributed little to not at all to the climate problem.
- Help the plaintiff and the people of Huaraz reduce the risk of destructive flooding.
- Hold polluters like RWE accountable and encourage them to adopt less-damaging business models.
- Bring about national and international political solutions to protect the people most affected by climate change.
In addition to the lawsuit, an important goal of Luciano Lliuya is to raise awareness about climate change. The dramatic extent of glacial melt is visible to everyone in his region, but some lack knowledge about the scientific connection. Adapting to climate change is a challenge for many people, especially in the agricultural sector. To address these issues, Saúl Luciano Lliuya is working with the local NGO Wayintsik-Perú, which in Quechua means "Our home", together with the people who accompany him in his struggle. This NGO carries out projects to raise awareness about climate change and supports local communities in adaptation processes.
News
Aktuelles
A Legal Milestone in Climate Litigation: The Saúl vs. RWE Decision
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
4:00 PM CEST via Zoom.
The event will be held in English.
After a decade of legal proceedings, a landmark decision is now imminent. On May 28, the Higher Regional Court of Hamm will deliver its ruling in the case of Saúl vs. RWE— a decision that could reshape corporate accountability in the face of the climate crisis.
Join us for an online event just hours after the court delivers its decision. Together with Saúl Luciano Lliuya and panelists who have been involved in the case from the outset, we unpack what the court decided, why it matters, and what it means for the future of climate litigation and the accountability of major emitters.
German court on the brink of holding major emitters liable for climate damages
The Higher Regional Court of Hamm has concluded hearings in landmark climate case of the Peruvian farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya’s case against German energy company RWE, with a decision expected on May 28th.
read more
Saúl Luciano Lliuya against RWE: Decisive hearing coming up
Next Monday and Wednesday (March 17 and 19), the Higher Regional Court of Hamm (Germany) will hear the highly anticipated climate case brought by Peruvian mountain guide Saúl Luciano Lliuya against the German energy company RWE.
read more
New study: Companies face financial risks from growing climate damage litigation
Regardless of the outcome of the Lliuya vs. RWE case, the use of courts to seek compensation for climate impacts will continue to grow, especially in the Global South, which is most affected by climate change. To date, 68 lawsuits have been filed against fossil fuel companies such as ExxonMobil, Shell and BP. Estimates of climate damages could reach trillions of dollars by 2049, posing significant risks to companies and investors.
read moreVoices on the case
Statments
Ing. César A. Portocarrero RodríguezThe lawsuit is fair
"The lawsuit is only fair considering that people in developing countries are suffering the severe consequences of the rampant development drive of the so-called developed countries".
David DresenEs geht um unsere gemeinsame Umwelt!
"I am very grateful for Saúl's commitment and I sincerely hope that he wins. This case shows that we are all globally connected because it is our shared environment and livelihood that is at stake."
Prof. Dr. Mojib LatifGroundbreaking model lawsuit
"The test case shows where the journey is going. Anyone who pollutes the environment excessively will be called to account. Only sustainable business models will be profitable in the future."
Luisa NeubauerOur solidarity knows no boundaries
"I support Saúl and his complaint. In a world where emissions cross all borders, our solidarity and collective action must be able to do the same. That is why we are fighting for this together."
Dr. Roda VerheyenA historical case
"This case is already historic from a legal perspective. No other comparable climate lawsuit in the world has reached such an advanced stage in the process. No other court in the world has recognised that large emitters can be fundamentally responsible for the consequences of climate change."
Prof. Dr. Christian HuggelA case with signal effect
"The case is rightly described internationally as a milestone in the climate debate in general and climate litigation in particular. In addition to being a signal effect to the fossil fuel industry, the case accelerates the complex and multidimensional debate about how we deal with the responsibility of climate change impacts, from local to global levels. And how we in science can best contribute to it."
Network
Netzwerk / Partner
An alliance of organisations from Germany and Peru accompany and support the plaintiff, raise awareness about climate change and support those affected by the climate crisis in Peru.