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Environmental Defence Society v. Auckland Regional Council and Contact Energy Ltd.

Reporter Info: [2002] 11 NZRMA 492
Status: Denied
Case Categories:
  • Suits against governments
    • Environmental assessment and permitting
      • Utilities
Jurisdictions:
  • New Zealand
    • Environment Court
Principal Laws:
  • New Zealand
    • Resource Management Act 1991
Summary:

The New Zealand environmental court accepted the cumulative effects of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a matter of serious concern in an application by Contact Energy for resource consent to construct and operate a 400 megawatt gas fired combined cycle power station in south Auckland. In granting consent for the power station, the Auckland Regional Council failed to impose conditions requiring mitigation of the emissions. The Environmental Defence Society appealed the council’s decision, seeking a declaration to require Contact Energy to offset the emissions by a program of forestry sequestration. Although the court accepted the scientific consensus on the contributions of GHG emissions to climate change, it dismissed the appeal, questioning the efficacy of imposing mitigation measures.

At Issue: Sought government imposition of mitigation measures in granting consent for a power station
Case Documents:
Filing Date Type File Summary
05/21/2002 Judgment Download No summary available.

© 2023 · Sabin Center for Climate Change Law · U.S. Litigation Chart made in collaboration with Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP

The materials on this website are intended to provide a general summary of the law and do not constitute legal advice. You should consult with counsel to determine applicable legal requirements in a specific fact situation.