Two groups of environmental lawyers are suing the New Zealand government, claiming its emissions reduction plan is “dangerously insufficient.” This lawsuit marks the first challenge to the national emission reduction plan and questions the government’s reliance on forestry as a primary method for offsetting emissions.
The Environmental Law Initiative, supported by Climate Action NZ and over 300 lawyers, filed for judicial review in the High Court, arguing that the government has neglected effective policy options and failed to consult the public adequately. They describe the government’s approach as “funny ambitious” and a “dangerous regression.”
The government’s existing plan aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, part of a climate law passed in 2019 that commits to meeting Paris Agreement targets. While the government asserts that New Zealand is on track to meet its long-term goals, experts warn that its current methodology may undermine its progress.
Key legal criticisms include the abandonment of reliable policies, insufficient public consultation, and over-reliance on high-risk strategies like planting vast areas of introduced pine trees. Experts have raised concerns that these trees may not provide a sustainable long-term solution for carbon storage, especially in the face of fires and extreme weather.
New Zealand contributes only 0.17% to global emissions but has seen a significant increase, with emissions rising by 57% from 1990 to 2018—the second largest increase among developed nations. Analysts warn that the government’s broader environmental policies, including new oil and gas investments, could further hinder emissions reduction efforts.
The Green Party endorses the lawsuit, criticizing the government’s plan as ineffective, while climate lawsuits are increasingly seen as a powerful tool for environmental activism globally. The outcome could compel the government to develop more robust and transparent emissions plans.
Source link
