Subscribe now

Comment and Environment

We may soon be able to hold fossil fuel companies to account

A Peruvian farmer's case against energy giant RWE will be decided shortly. But it has already made history, says Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change lead author Friederike Otto

By Friederike Otto

30 April 2025

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Simone Rotella

Can fossil fuel companies finally be held responsible for the damage their business models cause?

In Germany, a landmark climate case is set to be decided later this month. It started 10 years ago, when Peruvian farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya began suing German energy giant RWE, saying that the firm’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions makes it liable for a proportion of the increased flood risk at his property.

Whether or not his case proceeds to the next step, where the court would assess whether RWE’s contribution to flood risk is legally significant, is almost irrelevant. It has…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop