A group of 43 farmers from Pakistan’s Sindh province has launched legal proceedings against two of Germany’s largest industrial companies, energy firm RWE and cement producer Heidelberg Materials. The action seeks compensation for devastating losses suffered during the catastrophic 2022 floods.
The farmers, represented by their lawyers, have issued formal letters of intent to sue. They cite data from the Climate Accountability Institute linking RWE to 0.68% of historical global industrial greenhouse gas emissions and Heidelberg to at least 0.12%.
The claimants argue that the emissions from these corporations contributed to the climate crisis, which intensified the extreme monsoon rains that submerged a third of Pakistan in 2022. The disaster killed 1,700 people, displaced 33 million, and caused economic losses estimated at $30 billion.
Sindh was among the hardest-hit regions. The farmers report losing at least two annual rice and wheat harvests after their land remained submerged for over a year. They are seeking approximately €1 million in damages.
Read: Is Climate Change to Blame? Analyzing the Causes of the Pakistan Flood
“This is part of a growing wave of cross-border climate litigation,” the farmers’ representatives stated. The case mirrors recent legal actions, including a lawsuit by Philippine typhoon survivors against Shell and a case brought by Indonesian island residents against Swiss cement company Holcim.
One claimant, Abdul Hafeez Khoso, summarised the group’s position: “We have contributed the least to the climate crisis, yet we are losing our homes and livelihoods while corporations in the wealthy north continue to profit.”
Heidelberg Materials confirmed it has received the legal notice and is reviewing it. RWE declined to comment without further details. If the companies do not provide compensation, the farmers plan to file a formal case in a German court this December.
