A German court on Monday resumes hearing a landmark case brought by a Peruvian farmer who argues that the German energy giant RWE's emissions have contributed to the melting of Andean glaciers, increasing the flood risk to his home.

As a crucial climate lawsuit heads to trial in Germany next week, experts say the case brought by Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya against German energy giant RWE could set a significant precedent in the fight to hold major polluters accountable for climate change.

Glaciers in Peru are melting amid rising global temperatures, which, in turn, has increased the risk of flooding in the city of Huaraz. In a landmark trial due to start March 17, local farmer and mountain guide Saul Luciano Lliuya is suing German energy firm RWE over its alleged role in the crisis.