Mike Smith Fights Climate Law Changes, Urges UN Intervention

Mike Smith, a renowned iwi leader, has taken a bold stance against the New Zealand government's proposed climate law changes. He has joined forces with climate activists to urge the United Nations to intervene before the legislation is introduced to Parliament.

What's at stake?

The government's proposed law change aims to prevent companies from being sued over damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions. This move has sparked widespread concern among climate activists, who argue that it undermines the rule of law and access to justice.

Why it matters for Mike Smith

As a prominent iwi leader, Mike Smith has been at the forefront of climate activism in New Zealand. He has been granted permission by the Supreme Court to sue Fonterra and other major dairy and fossil fuel companies for their role in contributing to climate change. The proposed law change would effectively block this lawsuit, denying New Zealanders their right to hold corporations accountable for their environmental impact.

What comes next?

Mike Smith and his allies have filed a complaint with the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, urging the international community to intervene before the legislation is introduced. The complaint highlights the government's alleged "co-ordinated campaign of secret lobbying" and the potential consequences of the law change on access to justice and the rule of law.

The government has announced that the law change will apply to current and future cases, effectively stopping the landmark case against Fonterra and five other major emitters in its tracks. However, climate activists argue that this move is not just bad climate policy, but also strikes at the very heart of the rule of law and the right of New Zealanders to have their day in court.

The complaint, which spans 125 pages, outlines the background to the case, the proposed government amendments, and the procedural and substantive effects of the law change. It also raises concerns about the unknown extent of engagement with the corporate defendants and the inconsistent information in the public domain regarding their involvement.

As the debate surrounding the climate law changes continues, Mike Smith and his allies remain resolute in their commitment to protecting the rule of law and access to justice. With the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights now involved, the international community is watching closely to see how this saga unfolds.

The timeline

The government announced its plans to amend climate laws in May, sparking widespread concern among climate activists. The proposed law change would prevent findings of liability in torts, effectively blocking the landmark case against Fonterra and five other major emitters. Mike Smith and his allies have filed a complaint with the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, urging the international community to intervene before the legislation is introduced to Parliament.

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