Summarised by Centrist
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has been accused of acting against New Zealand’s interests after asking the European Union to investigate whether the coalition government’s climate and energy policies breach trade agreements.
The dispute centres on clauses in New Zealand’s free trade deals with the UK and EU that require the country not to weaken environmental protections to encourage trade or investment, and not to act against the purpose of the Paris climate agreement.
Documents released to Newsroom show British officials asked New Zealand officials in March to explain the government’s domestic climate policies, including its methane target reset and plans to invest in oil and gas infrastructure.
Swarbrick told Newsroom the discussions showed trade partners were questioning whether New Zealand was breaching its commitments. She said the government had “shredded” climate policy at home and warned New Zealand could, in the worst case, face suspension of trade benefits.
But Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay strongly rejected the suggestion New Zealand was breaching its agreements.
“We honour our commitments in free trade agreements, and we are within our rights to decide how we meet international obligations, from climate change to everything else,” McClay said.
McClay accused Swarbrick of “acting against the best interest of every single New Zealander and exporter for some form of political gain.”
“That is a horrible thing for her to do to the hard-working men and women of New Zealand whose jobs rely upon exports,” he said.
