Carbon emissions and environmental protections in trade agreements more than 'best endeavours', MFAT says

Shane Jones questions the value of MFAT's previously redacted advice on the oil and gas exploration ban. (Image: NZME)

Tue, 01 Oct 2024

Carbon emission and environmental protection clauses in free trade agreements are not just “best endeavours” clauses as the Government has previously maintained, at least according to previously hidden advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.Minister for Resources Shane Jones said a regulatory impact statement (RIS) with advice on the oil and gas offshore exploration ban was accidentally left unredacted by officials at the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and then tabled in Parliament.“There...

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