LAW STUDENT SUES GOVT OVER CLIMATE CHANGE POLICIES

A law student is taking the government to court over its climate change policies in hopes of forcing it to set more ambitious targets. Sarah Thomson is challenging the government over commitments that include a pledge under the Paris climate accord to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The government says its target is ambitious and fair. The case began Monday in the High Court in Wellington and is scheduled to last three days. It could be several months before a judge releases a decision. Thomson said she was inspired by other climate change cases worldwide, including a 2015 case in which a Dutch court ordered the Netherlands to slash greenhouse gas emissions. The Dutch government has appealed. /