New Zealand blocks lawsuits against firms over climate harm

WELLINGTON: New Zealand has passed hotly contested legislation to block lawsuits that seek to hold companies liable for climate change harm.The right-wing coalition government's legal amendment cleared a final hurdle in parliament on Tuesday (Aug 18) night by a margin of 67 votes to 53.The law aims to prevent civil litigation overriding its climate policy and undermining business confidence, the government said.It was introduced in response to a lawsuit filed by Indigenous Maori climate activist Michael Smith against six prominent New Zealand companies for their contribution to environmental harm linked to climate change. The law, which effectively ended his legal action, represents a "dark day for democracy", Smith told national broadcaster RNZ."If parliament can cancel a live court case,