German Court Keeps Hearing Climate Case of Farmers Against Volkswagen

Environmentalists have claimed a small win after a court in Germany said it will continue hearing a case brought by a local farmer seeking to force Volkswagen to end the sale of combustion engine vehicles.

Ulf Allhoff-Cramer, a farmer, said that dry soil and heavy rains because of climate change are harming his cattle, fields, and commercial forests. He argues that Volkswagen is to blame for this, as the large production of vehicles running on gasoline is contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.

The court in Germany has again asked for further details, and set a new hearing for February 3, 2022. Greenpeace, an environmental group, mainly supports the case, said it is the first time a German court will consider whether an automobile company can be forced to change its business practices to prevent climate-related harm to health and property.

The environmental group has accused Volkswagen of relying on the arguments of climate change skeptics to avoid bringing ahead its current deadline for ending the sale of combustion engine vehicles to 2040.

Volkswagen has objected to the claim of the farmer that it can be linked directly to any damages related to climate, which he has suffered.