Inayatullah Laghari’s story sheds light on the ongoing struggle of Pakistani farmers against climate adversity, as they confront the legacy of devastating floods that devastated their communities just a year ago. Now, these resilient farmers have taken their plight to a German court, seeking accountability from industrial giants whose emissions they believe contributed to their suffering. This landmark case not only illustrates the global dimension of climate justice but also the urgent need for meaningful action that supports the most vulnerable populations.
Dadu, Pakistan – Inayatullah Laghari, a 40-year-old farmer from Baid Sharif in Dadu district, stands on his toes to point at a faint watermark on the school wall, a remnant of the devastating floodwaters that submerged his village during the catastrophic floods in 2022. The floods in Sindh, the worst in Pakistan’s recorded history, affected millions, highlighting the vulnerability of communities reliant on agriculture, which serves as the mainstay for millions of farmers like Laghari.
The floods displaced around 30 million people, resulted in over 1,700 fatalities, inundated vast farmlands, and caused an estimated billion in damages. As Laghari recalls his desperate efforts to save whatever harvest he could, he emphasizes the dire circumstances faced by farmers in the aftermath of such calamities. “I had made up my mind to throw everything onto the school roof if the water rose any higher,” he said. While he fortunately did not have to resort to that, the losses were nonetheless significant.
Today, Laghari is among 39 farmers from Sindh suing two prominent German companies, RWE and Heidelberg Materials, over their greenhouse gas emissions, which the farmers argue played a key role in the catastrophic floods. These companies rank among the top global industrial producers responsible for 70% of carbon emissions, making them a focus for the farmers’ claims.
Miriam Saage-Maab, legal director at the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights, which represents the farmers, explained that the lawsuit was filed in December in a Heidelberg court, highlighting the need for accountability in climate-related harms. Although neither company has operations in Pakistan, the farmers argue that the emissions create far-reaching effects detrimental to their livelihoods thousands of kilometers away. Saage-Maab expressed optimism about the lawsuit’s potential to advance climate justice.
This case draws inspiration from similar litigation, including one involving a Peruvian farmer in 2015, and gestures toward a growing trend of cross-border climate litigation. Though previous cases faced challenges in courts, they have raised crucial questions about corporate responsibility and climate equity. Notably, the German legal system is becoming increasingly recognized for its potential to address international climate-related disputes.
Activists have supported the farmers by gathering testimonies and evidence to strengthen their case. Nasir Mansoor, general secretary of the National Trade Union Federation, highlighted the lawsuit as a “campaign for justice,” emphasizing the urgent need to hold corporations accountable for their environmental impact. “This lawsuit is about raising awareness and showing that what they are doing is causing suffering in Pakistan,” he stated.
While the farmers look to foreign courts for justice, there is a growing debate within Pakistan about the need for local accountability as well. Hammad Naqi Khan, head of WWF-Pakistan, underscored the importance of local governance in building resilience to such crises. “Our focus must also be on preparing our communities for future challenges,” he asserted.
Despite the potential for compensation upon a successful verdict, which could benefit entire villages still living in tents, the farmers recognize that their struggle extends beyond financial restitution. Laghari expressed hope for a favorable outcome, affirming that, regardless of the verdict, they will continue to fight for their rights and sustain their communities.
The farmers’ fight in the German court ultimately reflects a broader movement toward addressing climate change accountability. This case, emblematic of the resilience and determination of the Pakistani people, advocates for a just response to the global climate crisis, reminding the world of its shared responsibility in preserving our planet.
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