Climate Action NZ and the Environmental Law Initiative are taking the country’s Climate Change Minister to court over New Zealand’s second Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP2). ERP2 maps out how the country will reduce emissions and meet its net zero target. The case could set a precedent because it challenges the Government’s actions in so many different areas. The main focus of the case is that ERP2 relies too much on forestry removals (such as planting pine trees to absorb carbon) rather than addressing emissions at the source. However, supporters of the Plan will argue that tree planting is a legitimate way to fight climate change, given how fast-growing trees like pine can absorb vast amounts of carbon.
