February 09, 2024
Climate case for mokopuna future
Climate activist Mike Smith says his claim against seven of the country’s largest companies is about getting them to mend their ways as greenhouse gas polluters.
The Supreme Court has overturned a Court of Appeal decision that the action against the companies including Fonterra, Genesis and Z Energy be thrown out because it had no chance of succeeding.
Mr Smith says his legal team hopes it can get the claim before the courts later this year.
He’s asking the court to issues orders to compel the companies to start reducing their carbon footprint.
“So that’s the remedy we are seeking – it’s not a financial case we are after. We want action that is going to safeguard the future for all people, not just Māori, but for everybody living not only in this country but the world That is our sacred responsibility as grandparents and parents to protect the viability of life for our children and mokopuna,” Mr Smith says.
He says he took the claim as an individual so iwi would not be liable for massive costs if it doesn’t succeed.