![epa07962182 Attorney Roda Verheyen (C-front), representing the farmer families, Farmers Joerg Backsen (C-L) and Silke Backsen (C-R) prior to a court session in which three farmer families, along with the environmental protection organization Greenpeace, sue the German government over climate policy, at the Berlin Administrative Court in Berlin, Germany, 31 October 2019. For the first time, a court in Germany is observing a case related to the government's action over climate protection. The plaintiff families from the German states of Brandenburg, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, will argue in court that the inadequate enviornmental policy of the federal government, led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in dealing with the global warming issue, leads to a violation of their fundamental rights. EPA/OMER MESSINGER](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y2BOE6VK4Q7LJC5LRN6MZ4M6M4.jpg?smart=true&auth=410224e66ba5c7c1833f3fbb559942f11157b61cfb62c4ec897a46bfa57d8d5c&width=400&height=225)
Roda Verheyen (C-front) and Farmers Joerg Backsen (C-L) and Silke Backsen (C-R) prior to Thursday's court session in Berlin. EPA
Roda Verheyen (C-front) and Farmers Joerg Backsen (C-L) and Silke Backsen (C-R) prior to Thursday's court session in Berlin. EPA
German government sued by farmers over climate targets in landmark case
Farmers who suffered from droughts and extreme weather are trying to hold Angela Merkel’s government to account following a blistering summer heatwave