Latest news with #ClimateChange
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
'A ray of sunshine': NZ litigants spurred on by international climate ruling
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone A landmark ruling by the United Nations' highest court puts further pressure on the New Zealand government over a large hole in its climate plans, a group of climate lawyers say. Another litigant taking on big polluters calls it a "a ray of sunshine" - while the climate minister will only say it's "long and complicated". The International Court of Justice (ICJ) found overnight that countries can be responsible for paying reparations for damage caused by their greenhouse gases. It also said governments are legally obliged to set climate targets that are consistent with keeping temperatures within 1.5C (not 2C) and that they must "pursue measures capable of achieving" those goals. The decision said states could be in breach of international law for failing to address fossil fuel consumption, granting fossil fuel exploration licenses, and providing fossil fuel subsidies, something the New Zealand government is doing with its $200 million fund for drilling . New Zealand is currently on track to be over 80 million tonnes of emissions short of meeting its 2030 climate target, because the coalition government has broken with plans by previous governments to meet the target largely by buying carbon credits from overseas. The coalition has been told there is no feasible way to meet the target purely inside this country, without some kind of offshore deal. While Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has acknowledged that this is true, he has so far ducked making any public commitment to closing any of the necessary deals beyond "exploring options". At times, ministers have explicitly said the government wouldn't spend money offshore to meet the target, despite officials warning them that their inability to explain how New Zealand would close the gap would lead to overseas scrutiny. Jessica Palairet, executive director of Lawyers for Climate Action, said the international ruling confirmed that paying lip service to international climate targets wasn't enough. Under the Paris Agreement, countries' targets are known as NDCs, or Nationally Determined Contributions. The first ones run from 2021-2030, and the second set from 2031-2035. "The judgment confirms that New Zealand can't just say it hopes it will meet the NDC and that it's committed to our targets, it has to take real and demonstrable steps towards meeting it, it has to demonstrate that intent to meet it. The judgment clarifies that, and I think in the face of an 89 million tonne hole, there are real questions about whether or not we're doing that," she said. "When we made the NDC commitment in the first place, we had a plan for how we were going to meet the gap, but the government is changing course and the ICJ starkly brings into focus whether that is lawful." Palairet said the ruling also sharpened questions over whether New Zealand's second Paris Agreement target , out to 2035 was aligned with curtailing heating within 1.5C. Watts has defended the new target of 51-55 percent reductions by 2035, saying the cuts were difficult to achieve and met the definition of ambition, but several experts - and independent advice - disagreed. "There have been real questions raised about whether our second NDC is 1.5 degrees aligned," Palairet said. "Put it this way, Simon Watts specially asked officials for the second NDC to align with domestic emissions budgets, to avoid having to pay offshore mitigation." "The problem is that our domestic emissions budgets are set according to a test that's different to the where that leaves us is we have an NDC that likely isn't 1.5 degrees-aligned likely doesn't reflect highest possible ambition and likely doesn't reflect our fair share," she said. "The ICJ opinion really draws into sharp focus whether that is lawful." Palairet said court's opinion that 1.5C was a binding target could also have implications for the government's plans to lower the country's methane target. The coalition has been considering lowering the goal for methane reductions from between a 24 and 47 per cent by 2050 to between 14 and 24 percent. "The ICJ opinion has crystalised 1.5C as the target states have to work towards," Palairet said. "The government is considering reducing our methane target to 14 percent," she said. "The problem is that government's own independent expert advisory panel said that a 14 percent target was consistent with 2C, so I think there's a real question if New Zealand reduces its methane target to 14 percent, whether that's consistent with international law." Palairet said the government's gas and oil exploration subsidies and backtracking on the ban on new offshore exploration might also be incompatible the court's statements. "The ICJ had really strong statements on those kind of subsidies and decisions being in breach of international legal obligations." "It's advisory only, it's non-binding but it is really authoritative and it holds significant legal and moral authority and it's very likely going to be used in court cases all around the world, including New Zealand court cases." That might include Lawyers' for Climate Action's existing judicial review against Watts, which argues there are glaring holes in the country's emissions reduction plans. The world's top greenhouse gas emitters denied they had any obligations beyond the UN framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC) and the 2015 Paris agreement. The court rejected that argument, saying a range of other treaties applied, including the UN convention on the law of the sea, the Vienna convention for the protection of the ozone layer, the Montreal protocol, the convention on biological diversity and the UN convention to combat desertification. It also said states were obliged to cooperate to solve climate change. Asked to comment on the ruling, Watts sent a written statement noting the advisory opinion had been issued. "Climate change is an important issue in our region, and we know our Pacific Island neighbours are following this development closely," it said. "This is a long, complicated opinion, and New Zealand will study it carefully before commenting on the substance." Iwi climate leader Mike Smith said environmental lawyers were already discussing how to use the landmark ruling in New Zealand. Smith won the right in the Supreme Court last year to sue seven companies - including Z Energy, Genesis Energy, NZ Steel and Fonterra - for their role in causing climate change. He said the findings by the international court overnight offered hope in a time of worsening climate damage. "In all of that darkness this is a ray of sunshine, this is a beacon, it gives us hope that we can leverage these decisions and effect change," he said. "It strengthens [my case] in the sense that the decision confirmed that states are legally obligated to prevent climate harm and they must not support or subsidise emissions-intensive activities." "I've been talking to the lawyers from ELI, the Environmental Law Initiative, and they are all putting their minds to what falls out the bottom of this opinion and what opportunities are there now to bring further proceedings against the government."
Scoop
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
STATEMENT: Gov't Of Vanuatu Response To ICJ Climate Change Ruling
International Court of Justice Delivers Landmark Decision for Climate Justice; Pacific Islands and Global South to Move Forward with Clarity on Obligations and Accountability of Polluter States. ICJ confirms the legal obligations of States to address the climate crisis; Voluntary pledges and promises under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement are not enough THE HAGUE (23 July 2025) — The International Court of Justice (ICJ) today issued its ruling on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change and the legal consequences for failing to fulfil those obligations. Vanuatu and the large majority of the 96 States and11 International Organisations that presented evidence that States obligations were not limited to voluntary contributions and pledges found in the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement during the hearings in December 2024. The ICJ agreed with the majority and confirmed that international legal obligations - including the duty to cooperate, human rights, duties to prevent transboundary and environmental harm, including marine harm, and to act with due diligence — were also applicable to States' conduct in the context of climate change. Additionally, all States, whether they are parties to the UNFCCC, Kyoto and Paris Agreements or not, were bound by these legal obligations under customary international law. Breaches of any of these primary obligations confirmed as 'most directly relevant' to climate change would result in legal consequences. The Court also confirmed that harm from climate impacts could be established and scientifically attributed to specific polluter States whose acts or omissions resulted in significant harm. Legal consequences include cessation, including requirements to regulate private polluters and end fossil fuel subsidies; assurances of non-repetition; and a duty to make full reparations to injured States and individuals. This ruling is expected to take center stage when the United Nations General Assembly meets in September and at the next conference of parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change (COP30), in November in Brazil. These legal proceedings were requested by the UN General Assembly in a Resolution passed by consensus on 29 March 2023. The campaign for the resolution was initiated by the Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change and spearheaded by the Government of Vanuatu seeking climate justice. Statement by Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management for the Republic of Vanuatu 'The Government of the Republic of Vanuatu commends the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on its landmark advisory opinion on climate change, issued today in response to a UN General Assembly Resolution requesting the opinion following the initiative of the Government of Vanuatu and our fellow Small Island Developing States. 'The ICJ ruling marks an important milestone in the fight for climate justice. We now have a common foundation based on the rule of law, releasing us from the limitations of individual nations' political interests that have dominated climate action. This moment will drive stronger action and accountability to protect our planet and peoples. 'We will now take the ICJ ruling back to the United Nations General Assembly, and pursue a resolution that will support implementation of this decision. The implementation of this decision will set a new status-quo and the structural change required to give our current and future generations hope for a healthy planet and sustainable future. 'Even as fossil fuel expansion continues under the US's influence, along with the loss of climate finance and technology transfer, and the lack of climate ambition following the US's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, major polluters—past and present—cannot continue to act with impunity and treat developing countries as sacrifice zones to further feed corporate greed. 'Vanuatu is proud and honoured to have spearheaded this initiative, and the number of States and civil society that have joined to fight the same fight is a powerful testament to the leadership, courage, and determination of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and youth activists. Their persistence has transformed a grassroots movement into the biggest case in the history of international law, placing climate justice at the heart of international discourse. 'The Global South is bearing the brunt of a crisis it did not create. Families are losing their homes, entire cultures are at risk of disappearing, and lives are being shattered by man-made climate disasters. The nations most responsible for emissions should be held accountable for any violations of legal obligations and they must also step up and lead in providing resources and support to aid those most affected. 'This ruling provides a critical foundation for lawyers and activists to further strengthen and affirm that climate destruction is 'against the law.' It also confirms that environmental harm violates fundamental legal principles. 'A victory in the world's highest court is just the beginning. Success will depend on what happens next through coordinated efforts across diplomacy, politics, litigation, and advocacy to turn this moment into a true turning point. 'Vanuatu looks forward to collaborating with other States on implementing the Court's decision, and ensuring that the structural changes needed to increase accountability, demand real financial commitments, and reframe climate justice become the heart of every negotiation, every policy, and every court where our peoples' futures are at stake."
Scoop
20 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
Climate Crisis Is A Health Crisis - International Court Of Justice Ruling Reaction From Health Community
The Hague, 23 July 2025 Responding to today's much-anticipated Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Dr Jeni Miller, Executive Director at the Global Climate and Health Alliance said: 'The International Court of Justice has delivered a historic affirmation: the climate crisis is a health crisis—and failure to act is a failure to protect life. The Court made clear that fossil fuels are the root cause of this crisis, and that a state's failure to curb emissions—including through fossil fuel production, subsidies, or exploration—may constitute an internationally wrongful act. This ruling confirms that governments and corporations have a legal duty to prevent further harm, uphold the right to health, and safeguard future generations. From deadly heat and toxic air to disease and displacement, the Court's message is clear—human health is not collateral damage. Health workers and advocates now have powerful legal backing to demand bold, science-based climate action rooted in justice including a just transition away from fossil fuels, for health and the duty to protect life across all ages and borders.' About GCHA The Global Climate and Health Alliance is a consortium of more than 200 health professionals and health civil society organisations and networks from around the world addressing climate change. We are united by a shared vision of an equitable, sustainable future, in which the health impacts of climate change are minimised, and the health co-benefits of climate change mitigation are maximised.
New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
Trump Accuses Obama of Treason, and Transgender Youth Clinics Close
Hosted by Tracy Mumford Produced by Will Jarvis and Ian Stewart Edited by Ian StewartJessica Metzger and Tracy Mumford Featuring Jill Cowan Johnson Cuts Short House Business to Avoid Vote on Releasing Epstein Files, by Annie Karni and Michael Gold Trump Escalates Attacks on Obama and Clinton as Questions Swirl About Epstein, by Luke Broadwater and Julian E. Barnes E.P.A. Is Said to Draft a Plan to End Its Ability to Fight Climate Change, by Lisa Friedman U.S. and Japan Reach Trade Deal, by Ana Swanson and River Akira Davis G.M. Profit Shrinks on Billion-Dollar Tariff Hit, by Jack Ewing Hospitals Are Limiting Gender Treatment for Trans Minors, Even in Blue States, by Jill Cowan U.S. Olympic Officials Bar Transgender Women From Women's Competitions, by Juliet Macur Iranian Officials Suspect Sabotage in String of Mysterious Fires, by Farnaz Fassihi and Erika Solomon Ozzy Osbourne, 'Prince of Darkness' Turned Reality TV Star, Dies at 76, by Gavin Edwards Tune in, and tell us what you think at theheadlines@ For corrections, email nytnews@ For more audio journalism and storytelling, download the New York Times Audio app — available to Times news subscribers on iOS — and sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Glacial retreat reaches alarming levels endangering water system: minister
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal warned that over the past six decades, the rate of glacial retreat has reached alarming levels, endangering Pakistan's water system, particularly the Indus River Basin. 'Pakistan is home to over 7,000 glaciers, the largest concentration outside the polar regions, which are melting at an unprecedented pace. Over the past six decades, the rate of glacial retreat has reached alarming levels. Climate change is no longer a theoretical concern but a harsh and dangerous reality that poses a grave threat to the future of humanity. The Indus River supports 90 percent of Pakistan's agricultural output, and the accelerated glacial melt threatens not only agriculture but also water security, energy generation, and food availability,' the minister said while addressing at a high-level event in Islamabad on climate change, titled 'Practical Action for Environmental Protection: Progress on Climate Change Direction in Pakistan' organised by Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CARE) for South Asia on Tuesday. He said that climate change is no longer a theoretical concern but a harsh and dangerous reality that poses a grave threat to the future of humanity. Recalling the catastrophic floods of 2022, he said that Pakistan has already experienced the devastating effects of climate change, which have inflicted irreparable losses on human lives, the economy, agriculture, and vital infrastructure. The minister pointed out that countries such as Pakistan, which have contributed least to global greenhouse gas emissions, are among the most vulnerable to climate change impacts. 'The annual provision of $100 billion for climate affected countries is not charity, it is a matter of climate justice,' he asserted. He urged that the international community, especially the Global North, must now be held accountable. 'The world has long demanded 'do more' from the Global South; the time has come to demand that the Global North 'do more' for climate justice,' he said. The minister further stated that developed nations must honour their commitments by providing the required financial, technical, and institutional support to climate-vulnerable countries so they can respond effectively to the unfolding crisis. He noted that the present government has taken the challenge of climate change seriously and has made it a central pillar of Pakistan's national planning framework under the '5Es' (Export growth, Environmental sustainability, Energy security, Equity and Empowerment, and E-Pakistan) strategy. Concluding his remarks, the minister called upon the international community to play an active and responsible role in ensuring climate justice and securing a sustainable and safer future for all. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
