"Climate change: Mike Smith wins right to sue polluters including Fonterra, Z, Genesis Energy," 06 Feb 2024

Iwi leader Mike Smith has won the right to sue seven big polluters for their role in causing climate change, in a Supreme Court ruling...

The Supreme Court reinstated Smith’s case, after it was earlier thrown out by the Court of Appeal on the basis there was no reasonable basis for argument.

The climate activist... says the group, including Fonterra, Z Energy and Genesis Energy... have a legal duty to him and others in communities who are being damaged by planet-heating gases.

Genesis Energy said in a statement it was “disappointed”, and that the case would divert resources from actually cutting emissions by building up renewable energy.

The Court of Appeal had earlier ruled the crisis was so big and all-encompassing it should be dealt with at the national and international government level, but the country’s highest court disagreed.

The case will now go back to the lower courts for a full hearing...