Channel Infrastructure faces High Court on carbon emissions

Channel Infrastructure, formerly known as Refining NZ, will have to face a full High Court hearing in a case relating to carbon emissions.

The Supreme Court has allowed the appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision to strike out the case.

Channel Infrastructure is one of seven respondents in the proceedings brought by Michael John Smith.

The company, along with the other respondents, believes that the issue of climate change should be determined by Parliament, not the courts.

Since the case was filed in 2019, Channel Infrastructure has taken steps to reduce its environmental impact, including the cessation of refining activities and the transition to an import terminal model.

The company has already decreased its emissions by over 98% and aims to largely eliminate its direct emissions from 2024.

It is also actively supporting the transition to lower-carbon fuel options in New Zealand.