Climate Groups Sue NZ Government Over 2035 Emissions Target and Technology Strategy

Lawyers for Climate Action and the Environmental Law Initiative filed a court case against Climate Change Minister Simon Watts in March 2026. The groups argue the right-leaning New Zealand government is not doing enough to meet its legally binding carbon emission targets after unraveling a string of green policies since it came to power in 2023.

The government canceled a clean car discount that incentivised electric vehicle uptake.

It reversed a ban on oil and gas exploration and began a fast-track scheme for mining permits. In January 2025 the government announced a target to reduce carbon emissions by 51% from 2005 levels by 2035. That target is barely changed from the previous goal of a 50% cut by 2030.

New Zealand's legislated goal is net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, excluding methane produced by waste and agriculture. The net-zero goal was passed overwhelmingly by lawmakers in 2019, and Wellington sets five-yearly targets to meet the 2050 net-zero goal. " He said the government now risked missing its legislated targets and exceeding its climate budget.

"The minister has a legal obligation to ensure that the budget is met," Every-Palmer said. He added that the government's own analysis was that it was effectively a coin-toss chance that the targets would be met. " That approach risks waiting to do something until it is too late to stay on track for the 2050 goal, he said.

"It's fine to have policies that you implement if you need them, but they have to be real policies. " The government is investing in science and businesses seeking to build methane-reducing, carbon capture, and green hydrogen technologies. Campaigners argue this amounts to relying too heavily on unproven future technologies.

A German court decision in 2021 found the government's plans were unconstitutional because they relied too much on future developments. A decision in the New Zealand case is due later in 2026. Simon Watts has declined to comment on the case because the matter is before the courts.

New Zealand attracts millions of tourists each year with its pristine nature and spectacular landscapes. The legal challenge over its climate plans comes as courts from South Korea to Germany have pushed governments to take climate change more seriously.