A David versus Goliath climate case kicked off on Wednesday in a Belgian court, where a farmer is seeking compensation from French oil giant TotalEnergies for damage to his farm caused by climate change.

Backed by environmental groups including Greenpeace, Hugues Falys from Belgium's western Hainaut province is hoping the case will prove a turning point in the transition towards a greener future.

"We've been waiting and planning for this day for a long time coming," Falys told AFP as the case began in a commercial court in Tournai, a Belgian city near the French border.

"Our arguments are solid and TotalEnergies's arguments are flimsy," said the farmer, who was greeted by dozens of campaigners brandishing banners and signs reading "Stop climate criminals".

Falys is the first person to

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