KARACHI: Farmers affected by the devastating 2022 floods on Thursday announced the filing of a climate justice claim against two major global carbon emitters in Germany, saying the unprecedented disaster had exposed Pakistan’s extreme vulnerability to climate change.
The announcement was made at a press conference here at the Karachi Press Club by farmer claimants Hamza Khan Kalhoro, Abdul Hafeez Khoso and Abdul Khaliq Leghari from Larkana, Jacobabad and Dadu.
According to information provided by the organisers, they are filing a climate accountability claim in Germany against two corporations reportedly recognised among the highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emitters.
The case will be filed under German civil law and guided by the polluter pays principle, seeks compensation for the devastating climate impacts that contributed to the catastrophe.
The farmers told the press conference that the 2022 floods had destroyed crops, livestock and homes, pushing thousands of farming families into long-term economic distress.
They said that Pakistan, despite contributing less than one per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions, had suffered disproportionate losses due to climate-induced extreme weather events. They argued that historically high-emitting corporations must be held accountable for climate-related losses and damages.
They added that they had now begun their struggle and were filing a climate justice case against RWE and Heidelberg Materials.
They said that 43 farmers from Sindh were filing the claim, seeking compensation for the losses they suffered during the 2022 floods.
Speaking on the occasion, National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) leader Nasir Mansoor termed climate change a livelihood and labour rights issue, noting that repeated climate shocks were undermining rural employment and food security.
He said the absence of climate-resilient policies was deepening inequality and pushing working communities further into poverty.
He welcomed the decision by farmers in Sindh to pursue legal action against two German companies for climate justice.
Dr Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed of the HANDS Welfare Foundation said the 2022 floods were not a “natural disaster alone” but a consequence of global warming. “Our farmers are paying the price for emissions they did not cause,” he said.
He said climate justice required accountability from major polluters and compensation for communities whose livelihoods had been destroyed.
Speaking from Germany over the phone, Miriam Saage-Maab, constitutional lawyer & representative of the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), said the case aimed to amplify the voices of flood-affected communities in international legal forums.
Karin Zennig of Medico International, Germany said the case reflected a growing global effort to seek accountability for climate harm through legal action.
Zennig said climate litigation had become an important tool to bridge the gap between climate science, human rights and justice.
The speakers urged the international community to recognise climate-induced losses and damages as a matter of justice and responsibility.
Zehra Khan of the Home-Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) was also present at the press conference.
Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2025
No comments yet.