A German farmer identified as Ulf Allhoff-Cramer has sued automaker Volkswagen (VW), accusing the company of being partly responsible for the effects of climate change.
The case is supported by the environmental group Greenpeace which has supported similar legal efforts in Germany that sought to hold companies and the government responsible for the effects of climate change.
In 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency discovered VW was using software that let diesel cars pass emissions tests, but then turned off pollution controls during normal driving.
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The company was reported to have apologized for its actions and paid tens of billions of dollars in fines, business costs and damages to car owners.
In the case, Allhoff-Cramer asked VW to end its production of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2030, claiming that drier soil and heavier rains linked to climate change have affected his fields, cows and forest operations. He said these effects have harmed his family business.
It will be recalled that the German automakers rejected a similar demand from environmental groups last year.
Allhoff-Cramer, stated that farmers are already being hit harder and faster by climate change than expected, adding that since VW is the second-largest automaker, it should take responsibility for environmental damage linked to climate change.
According to reports, a court in the western town of Detmold asked Allhoff-Cramer and his lawyers to provide additional details to support their legal arguments during one of thehearings.
The judge also asked whether the farmer had already suffered climate-related damages or is still expecting them. The next court hearing is expected to take place on September 9.
Story was adapted from VOA.
