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More climate cases

Saúl Luciano Lliuya is not the only one who turned to a court for climate justice. More and more people are affected by the climate crisis and are taking legal action to demand that companies and governments reduce emissions and pay for climate risks and damages so that human rights are protected. This snapshot from the London School of Economics and Political Science provides an overview of various climate lawsuits.

Indonesian Pari Islanders vs. Holcim

Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, which is destroying the livelihoods of the people on Indonesia’s Pari Island. The Swiss cement corporation Holcim bears a substantial degree of responsibility for this due to its high CO2-emissions. Four residents are now demanding justice on behalf of the island: they are taking Holcim to court in Switzerland demanding that the "carbon major" quickly reduce its CO2 emissions, compensation for damage already caused, and a contribution to the costs of protective measures against sea-level rise. The Swiss aid agency HEKS,  the Indonesian environmental organisation WALHI, and the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) support the case.

Climate Case against Shell

In 2018, the dutch NGO Milieudefensie and other NGOs and plaintiffs started a lawsuit against Shell demanding the company to align its business plans to the goals of the Paris climate agreement. On May 26, 2021, the won their case. A historic victory! Shell appealed. A Court´s decision is still pending.

 

French NGOs against Total

In January 2020, a coalition of NGOs and local authorities filed a lawsuit against TotalEnergies in France. They are asking the corporation to take the necessary measures to comply with the Paris Agreement targets. Total produces about 1% of global emissions each year, more than the territorial emissions of France (445 million tonnes of CO2eq). This makes the group one of the 20 "carbon majors" that contribute most to global warming worldwide. The process has been delayed so far due to numerous objections made by the company.

 

Indonesian island of Pari

The Indonesian island of Pari lies just above sea level. © zvg

Portrait of Bobby (climate change complainant from Indonesia)

The 50-year-old plaintiff Bobby is a fisherman and leads the forum "Save Pari Island". © Abdul Baits

Climate plaintiff Edi from Indonesia mends his fishing net

Edi mends his fishing net. He likes to go out fishing by boat and to sell his catch directly to the people from the village. © Abdul Baits

The picture shows the managing director of Milieudefensie after the successful trial.

Lawsuit against Shell: The picture shows the managing director of Milieudefensie after the successful trial.  

Saúl Luciano Lliuya mit zwei Klimaklägern von den Torres Strait Inseln

Saúl Luciano Lliuya (centre) with the two plaintiffs Uncle Paul (left) and Uncle Pabai (right). The two have sued the Australian government for failing to prevent climate change.  

Portrait of Asmania (climate change complainant from Indonesia)

The 39-year-old plaintiff Asmania owns a guesthouse on Pari. When the island is flooded, sometimes hardly any tourists come for several weeks. © Abdul Baits

Portrait of Arif (climate change complainant from Indonesia)

Arif, the 51-year-old plaintiff in the lawsuit against Holcim lives on Star Beach, which has been particularly hard hit by flooding. © Abdul Baits.

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