Trade Minister rejects claim about NZ breaching EU climate commitments

FILE PHOTO: A general view of the Marsden Point Oil Refinery, in Northland, New Zealand January 12, 2023. Both ENDS highlighted a weakened methane target, removal of agriculture from carbon pricing, reversal of the offshore oil and gas exploration ban, a $200 million Gas Security Fund and planned LNG import facility, and legislation preventing climate-related claims against major emitters. - Reuters

WELLINGTON: New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay on Wednesday (Sept 30) rejected a Dutch environmental group's claim that New Zealand breached climate commitments under its free trade agreement with the European Union, reported Xinhua.

The group, Both ENDS, has lodged a complaint with the European Commission, alleging New Zealand failed to meet commitments under the EU-New Zealand free trade agreement not to weaken environmental protections to promote trade or investment and to effectively implement the Paris Agreement, the global climate accord.

McClay said New Zealand was compliant with the agreement and always met its international obligations. "It's not for overseas countries, organisations or lobby groups to tell New Zealand how to meet its obligations," he added.

Both ENDS said the complaint was the first climate test of the EU's trade enforcement mechanism and could set a precedent. The group is seeking compliance rather than suspension of trade benefits, although the agreement allows for suspension at the end of a lengthy process, Radio New Zealand reported. - Bernama-Xinhua