Join our side event to explore how Indigenous legal principles, customary lore and tikanga, are being woven into climate litigation, and what this means for Pacific communities seeking justice, corporate accountability, and a Just Transition. In 2024, Ngapuhi leader Mike Smith achieved a landmark victory, when New Zealand's Supreme Court granted him the right to sue seven of the country's largest corporate emitters for their contribution to climate change. Grounded in the principles of tikanga Maori, customary lore, Smith alleges the companies have damaged his whenua (land) and moana (ocean). This case is part of a defining global trend: over 3,099 climate-related cases have been filed worldwide, and Smith's case stands out as a breakthrough for the integration of Indigenous legal frameworks into common law. This side event will showcase how customary lore and tikanga are being used to hold emitters accountable and explore the Pacific-wide relevance of this approach. It will also examine the challenges to this accountability, including legislative attempts to restrict access to courts, and what this means for Indigenous people's ability to participate in climate governance. At a COP that must elevate Pacific voices, this event highlights the power of Indigenous legal traditions in shaping climate action, protecting vulnerable communities, and advancing a Just Transition that respects the rights and knowledge of Pacific peoples.

Venue

Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion

Speakers

Ozayr Akbar, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, Bianca Ranson, Moderator: Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i