A Swiss court has agreed to accept a lawsuit filed by residents of a tiny Indonesian island being flooded by rising sea levels linked to climate change against one of the world’s largest cement producers, Holcim, for its contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.
Four residents of Pulau Pari island are demanding compensation from the Swiss cement giant for climate damage and help to fund flood protection measures on the island that could be completely under water by 2050 if sea levels continue to rise.
Major companies
The case is part of a wider international movement seeking to hold major companies responsible for the impacts of climate change that impacts millions of people, especially in developing countries.
The main targets have usually been oil companies, though the focus on Holcim highlights the impact of the cement industry on climate change – the industry produces around seven to eight percent of annual carbon dioxide emissions caused by human activity.
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Environmentalists say Holcim ranks among the world’s 100 biggest corporate CO2 emitters, and so it bears significant responsibility for climate-related loss and damage.
The four plaintiffs, who filed the case in January 2023, are seeking compensation as well as contribution to protection measures such as planting mangroves and constructing breakwater barriers.
They are also demanding a 43 percent reduction in Holcim’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a 69 percent reduction by 2040.
The company has not operated any cement plants in Indonesia since 2019, but the islanders argue that the company shares the blame for rising temperatures and sea levels.
Net zero by 2050
Holcim says it is committed to reaching net zero by 2050, but has argued that lawmakers should decide how those goals are met.
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“Holcim remains convinced that the courtroom is not the appropriate forum to address the global challenge of climate change,” it said.
The NGOs backing the Pari case, said the court in Zug, where Holcim is headquartered, had rejected that argument.
“The court has now made its ruling: the complaint must be admitted in its entirety,” the NGOs said in a statement Monday.
Holcim said it had “anticipated this as a potential outcome and intend to appeal”.
(with newswires)
