Source: Greenpeace
Greenpeace says that a retrospective law change, which makes it illegal to sue climate polluters over the damages caused by climate change, is yet more evidence of corporate capture within the Coalition Government.
The Climate Change Response (Tort Liability) Amendment Bill, which passed its third reading in Parliament yesterday, prohibits New Zealanders from suing businesses over the impacts of their climate pollution. The law was primarily designed to prevent the Smith v Fonterra case spearheaded by Māori activist Mike Smith.
Greenpeace Programme Director Niamh O’Flynn says, “The Coalition Government passing this Bill at the bidding of corporations shows the sinister side of the influence of polluters on politics. Instead of standing for the interests of New Zealanders, this Government has stepped in to prevent some of New Zealand’s worst polluters from being held accountable for their climate destruction.”
“This abuse of power – a law change made at the request of Fonterra and Z Energy – is yet more evidence that this Government is little more than a puppet for polluting corporations and industries.
“Big polluters – like Fonterra and the oil and gas industry – are profiting from the climate crisis, but the rest of us are paying the price, from skyrocketing insurance premiums to the enormous cost of rebuilding roads, bridges and other infrastructure after climate disasters.”
In May, it was revealed that secret lobbying by Fonterra and Z Energy – including a briefing sent to the personal email of the Prime Minister’s Chief Policy Advisor – had led to the creation of the Bill. O’Flynn says this is just one example in a broader pattern.
“This Government has allowed corporate polluters to write the policy on everything from fresh water to climate change. Now, they’re attempting to take away our avenues to challenge those polluters. But we will continue to resist.
“In 2013, the National Government passed the Anadarko Amendment at the bidding of international oil giants, to prevent New Zealanders from confronting climate villains. Despite this, our movement (with Mike at the forefront) continued to kick them out one-by-one. Mike’s case may be on ice, but he and the thousands of New Zealanders taking action for climate change will keep fighting this war on nature.
“If this Government thinks that by preventing civil lawsuits against polluters, they’re stopping us from taking action, then they’ve got another thing coming. We will continue to fight for our kids’ and grandkids’ future.”