By Karen Scott of
Photo: AFP / John Thys
Analysis: The New Zealand government's decision this week to reject all of the Climate Change Commission's emission target recommendations was just the latest in a string of policy statements that weaken the country's action on climate.
Collectively, the current climate policy settings raise three important (and not hypothetical) questions.
Does weakening domestic action on climate change risk New Zealand being found in breach of international law? Yes.
Could other states take legal action against New Zealand for failing to comply with its international obligations? Yes.
Does a failure to comply with those obligations undermine New Zealand's commitment to the international rules-based order?
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