LCANZI Newsletter - December 2021

Kia ora koutou,

As the year winds up we want to thank all of our generous members, volunteers and donors for all of your support in 2021! LCANZI has been able to achieve so much in the climate action space this year and we could not have done it without all of you.

A major highlight of this year’s mahi was the judicial review of the Climate Change Commission’s advice which will carry into early 2022. Next year will be another massive year for climate action and LCANZI will continue to hold our government to account through litigation, submissions and letters.

Please see our December newsletter below for an update on the last month and SGM notification.


Notice of Special General Meeting 26 January 5pm

The Committee wishes to call a Special General Meeting under r 19.3 of our society's rules. The business of the meeting will be to vote on the attached proposed motion to amend our Rules to clarify purpose, facilitate application for charitable status, and clarify other aspects of Society Meeting procedure.

The meeting will be held on 26 January at 5pm. We do not expect that the meeting will take long. Here is the link to the Zoom. If you would like to dial in by phone please email admin@lawyersforclimateaction.nz for the details.

Members are invited to attend and vote in accordance with our Rules. In accordance with r 22, the motion will be passed if a two thirds majority of those members present and voting vote in favour of the motion. Associate members are welcome to attend but are not eligible to vote.

We look forward to seeing you there.


LCANZI Fundraising

Since its inception in mid 2019, LCANZI has developed a growing profile using its legal skill in the climate action space. From holding local authorities and government to account, challenging misleading advertising/media, working alongside others in the sector (eg All Aboard Aotearoa) and providing assistance to numerous individuals and entities through its pro bono arm.

This has been achieved through members and its volunteer network all acting on a zero fee basis. However, we can only ask for so much from our volunteers, and even without paying fees, administrative costs and disbursements still need to be met. For LCANZI to build on its platform, and increase its reach, it needs ongoing financial support that cannot be met from subscriptions alone.

Accordingly, LCANZI seeks donations from individuals, firms and other entities to enable it to continue its mahi in 2022 and beyond. LCANZI has developed a fundraising and donations policy (currently in draft) and will be updating our website soon. If you or your firm would like to hear more about the LCANZI donations policy please contact Carol Weaver at carol@lawyersforclimateaction.nz.


Emissions Reduction Plan Submission

On 24 November LCANZI made a submission to the Ministry for the Environment on the Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) discussion document (Te hau mārohi ki anamata, Transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future).

LCANZI supports the general direction of the document but has several fundamental concerns including the lack of an overall strategy to reduce domestic emissions in Aotearoa at the scale and pace required to meet the demands of the climate emergency. You can read a summary of our other concerns here or read the full submission here.


Climate Related Disclosures Submission

On 22 November LCANZI made a submission to the External Reporting Board (XRB) on the Climate-related Disclosures Governance and Risk Management Consultation Document.

This submission was written by LCANZI’s Climate Related Disclosures Sub-committee. It encourages the XRB to strive further towards its goal of ensuring that this regime is sufficiently ambitious and forward-looking to ensure that organisations take a sufficiently broad view of climate-related risks and opportunities and better evaluate risks and exposures over the short, medium and long term.

You can read a longer summary here or the full submission here.


Thank you again for all of your amazing support this year, we hope you have a safe and refreshing Christmas break and we hope to see you in the new year at our SGM!

Meri Kirihimete, ngā mihi o te wā!

LCANZI Committee

LCANZI