German Court Bars Appeal in RWE Climate Case

A German court dismissed a decade-long climate lawsuit brought by Peruvian farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya against RWE, ruling that the risk of a catastrophic flood to his property from glacier melt was too low to hold the company liable and barring any appeal. Lliuya had argued that RWE's greenhouse gas emissions contributed to climate change and melting glaciers threatening his hometown of Huaraz, Peru, and sought damages proportional to RWE's share of historical emissions. The court acknowledged for the first time under German law that large emitters could potentially be held responsible for climate damages, though it denied liability in this case. RWE, which has never operated in Peru, welcomed the decision and cautioned that a verdict against them could have set a precedent for global claims against German companies. Environmental groups and Lliuya view the case as an important milestone for future climate litigation efforts. The ruling marks a setback for activists seeking to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for climate change impacts.