A German court on Monday started hearing a Peruvian farmer's case against major energy company RWE, a lawsuit arguing that global warming fueled by the firm's historical greenhouse gas emissions ultimately poses a risk to his home.

A Peruvian farmer who says German energy giant RWE's emissions have contributed to the melting of Andean glaciers, increasing the flood risk to his home, took his case to court on Monday in a hearing that could set a precedent for climate litigation.

A ruling for a Peruvian farmer against a German energy giant would mark the first time any court has ordered a company to pay up for climate change.