New Zealand moves to halt lawsuits over climate damage

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Wellington: New Zealand’s government has announced plans to legislatively block lawsuits targeting companies for "climate change damage" linked to emissions. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith argued that tort law is an unsuitable mechanism for addressing complex environmental and social issues, citing concerns over "business confidence".

This move directly impacts an ongoing case by Maori activist Michael Smith against major firms like Fonterra. Smith condemned the decision as an "affront to democracy," suggesting it allows the government to cancel legal claims that become "politically inconvenient".

The decision aligns with a broader shift under the current right-leaning coalition, which has already reversed several environmental policies, including EV incentives and bans on oil exploration. While the government maintains a net-zero target for 2050, it remains under separate legal pressure regarding the sufficiency of its 2035 emissions goals.