A German farmer is Sue Car manufacturer Volkswagen (VW) partly responsible for the effects of climate change.

The man, Ulf Allhoff-Cramer, claims that drier soils and heavier rainfall associated with climate change have affected his fields, cows and forestry operations. He said that impact hurt his family business.

In that case, Allhoff-Cramer is asking VW to stop producing petrol-powered vehicles by 2030. German car manufacturers rejected a similar demand from environmental groups last year.

“Farmers are already being hit harder and faster by climate change than expected,” Allhoff-Cramer recently told reporters. He has argued that as the second largest automaker, VW should take responsibility for environmental damage linked to climate change.

A court in Detmold recently asked Allhoff-Cramer and his lawyers at a hearing to provide further details to back up their legal arguments, German news agency dpa reported.

The judge also asked whether the farmer has already suffered or is still anticipating climate-related damage. The next court hearing will take place on September 9th.

The case is supported by the environmental organization Greenpeace. The organization has supported similar legal efforts in Germany aimed at holding corporations and government accountable for the effects of climate change.

Such cases have had mixed success. Some were fired, one made it to Germany’s highest court. Last year, the Supreme Court in this case ordered the government to step up efforts to reduce carbon emissions emissions.

Volkswagen said in a statement that it aims to reduce its emissions “as fast as business”. permitted.” VW has set itself the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 2050 net zero.

“Volkswagen stands for climate protection and quickly decarbonization of transport sectorbut cannot fulfill it challenge alone,” the company said. It added that such progress also depends on government regulations, technological development and buyer behavior.

VW said lawmakers should be the ones deciding action on climate change. The company said it will “defend that position and call for the lawsuit to be dismissed.”

In 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency discovered that VW was using software that allowed diesel cars to pass emissions tests, but then turned off emissions controls during normal driving. The company apologized for its actions and paid out $10 billion in fines, business costs and damages to car owners.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn customized the report for VOA Learning English.

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words in this story

Sue – v. Taking legal action and trying to get money from a person or organization for causing you harm
emission – n. the act of producing or emitting something (such as energy or gas) from a source
enable – v. to allow
net zero – adj. when a country, city, etc. removes as many emissions as they produce
quickly – adj. happening or moving very quickly
Sector – n. a part of a country’s economy
challenge – n. a difficult task or problem; something that is difficult to do