Climate activist’s appeal dismissed

The Court of Appeal has rejected an environmental advocate’s claim that the government’s “inadequate” response to climate change is a threat to his life and culture, ruling the case will not go to trial.

The court found climate change activist Michael Smith’s claim was untenable and dismissed his appeal against a High Court ruling which struck it out.

Smith, who is also a spokesman for the Iwi Chairs Forum, has a separate case waiting to be heard by the Supreme Court in which he is suing seven New Zealand companies over their alleged contribution to climate change.