Both ENDS files EU complaint over New Zealand climate policies

Both ENDS says New Zealand has weakened environmental protections in ways that breach commitments linked to its trade agreement with the EU. The group points to the government’s 2025 decision to lift a ban on searching for new offshore oil and gas fields, and to legislation affecting a climate lawsuit against dairy company Fonterra and others. Both ENDS also argues that New Zealand is failing to uphold its Paris climate agreement commitments. [1] [2]

The legislation, passed in August, bars tort liability for climate effects caused or contributed to by greenhouse-gas emissions and applies to existing proceedings, Waatea News reported. It affects a claim brought by Michael John Smith that New Zealand’s Supreme Court reinstated in 2024, allowing the case to proceed without deciding whether the defendants were liable. [3] [4]

Waatea News reported the government’s position that emissions policy should be set through legislation and regulation rather than individual civil claims, which it said could create uncertainty for businesses and investors. [4]