New Zealand bans climate lawsuits against companies, sparking ‘dark day for democracy’ protest

New Zealand’s right-wing coalition government has passed a controversial law that blocks courts from holding companies liable for climate change harm. The legal amendment cleared its final parliamentary vote on Tuesday night by 67 votes to 53. The government said the law is needed to stop civil lawsuits from overriding its climate policy and to protect business confidence. The change came in response to a lawsuit filed by indigenous Maori climate activist Michael Smith, who sought to take a major company to court over climate-related damage. Critics called the move a “dark day for democracy,” saying it shields polluters from accountability. The law now prevents future climate-based civil claims against businesses in New Zealand.