Forest & Bird to appeal decision

Forest & Bird is planning to appeal a decision by the Environment Court not to consider the effects of climate change under the Resource Management Act.

Top of the South field officer Debs Martin believes the ruling was an error under the law.

She says the organisation doesn't take appeals lightly and believes it has good grounds for this one.

"Of course underlying it is that is that we believe it's totally inappropriate to look at a project and not to be able to consider one of the biggest environmental effects that arises as a result of that project."

The organisation is confident it will win the appeal.

Ms Martin says if the appeal is successful it will mean the release of greenhouse gases can be taken into account in weighing up whether a project can proceed or not.

"For us it puts things on a level playing field, in terms of making sure that all of the effects are considered."

Photo: NZ Herald