Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
@magsig.nz
Law & the environment | Exploring pathways towards cooperative sovereignty & shared responsibility | Born at 341ppm
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
New national climate plans have barely moved the needle on limiting global warming. Yet there is hope.
According to UNEP's latest #EmissionsGap Report, accelerated adoption of renewable energy and falling costs mean we have the tools to cut emissions now: www.unep.org/news-and-sto...
According to UNEP's latest #EmissionsGap Report, accelerated adoption of renewable energy and falling costs mean we have the tools to cut emissions now: www.unep.org/news-and-sto...
November 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
New national climate plans have barely moved the needle on limiting global warming. Yet there is hope.
According to UNEP's latest #EmissionsGap Report, accelerated adoption of renewable energy and falling costs mean we have the tools to cut emissions now: www.unep.org/news-and-sto...
According to UNEP's latest #EmissionsGap Report, accelerated adoption of renewable energy and falling costs mean we have the tools to cut emissions now: www.unep.org/news-and-sto...
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
If you're a @drilledmedia.bsky.social listener you know I think social scientists are key sources if we want to understand why governments haven't acted on climate. So imagine my nerd delight to get my hands on an incredible new batch of research on climate obstruction. drilled.media/podcasts/dri...
Welcome to the World of Obstruction
Investigating the obstacles to action on climate change.
drilled.media
September 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
If you're a @drilledmedia.bsky.social listener you know I think social scientists are key sources if we want to understand why governments haven't acted on climate. So imagine my nerd delight to get my hands on an incredible new batch of research on climate obstruction. drilled.media/podcasts/dri...
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
Long (Inspiring) Read. An “optional extracurricular activity” in a University of the South Pacific environmental law class went all the way to the International Court of Justice (IJC) and transformed global climate law. By @brookejarvis.bsky.social for The NYT Magazine… buff.ly/XYow5FH
September 13, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Long (Inspiring) Read. An “optional extracurricular activity” in a University of the South Pacific environmental law class went all the way to the International Court of Justice (IJC) and transformed global climate law. By @brookejarvis.bsky.social for The NYT Magazine… buff.ly/XYow5FH
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
New: The International Court of Justice’s finding that granting fossil fuel exploration licences could breach international law casts a shadow over the New Zealand Government’s oil and gas plans.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/25/w...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/25/w...
World's highest court sends shot across bow of NZ's climate policy
The International Court of Justice's finding that granting fossil fuel exploration licences could breach international law casts a shadow over the Govt's oil and gas plans.
newsroom.co.nz
July 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
New: The International Court of Justice’s finding that granting fossil fuel exploration licences could breach international law casts a shadow over the New Zealand Government’s oil and gas plans.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/25/w...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/25/w...
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
⚡️ ⚖️ Precedent-setting #climatelitigation victory this morning in #SaulvsRWE
🙌 🎉 A victory for #climatejustice and corporate accountability
🧵🧑⚖️ A short thread to unpack the key legal principles reaffirmed by the judges of the Higher Court of Hamm 🇩🇪 ⬇️ 1/8
🙌 🎉 A victory for #climatejustice and corporate accountability
🧵🧑⚖️ A short thread to unpack the key legal principles reaffirmed by the judges of the Higher Court of Hamm 🇩🇪 ⬇️ 1/8
May 28, 2025 at 10:42 AM
⚡️ ⚖️ Precedent-setting #climatelitigation victory this morning in #SaulvsRWE
🙌 🎉 A victory for #climatejustice and corporate accountability
🧵🧑⚖️ A short thread to unpack the key legal principles reaffirmed by the judges of the Higher Court of Hamm 🇩🇪 ⬇️ 1/8
🙌 🎉 A victory for #climatejustice and corporate accountability
🧵🧑⚖️ A short thread to unpack the key legal principles reaffirmed by the judges of the Higher Court of Hamm 🇩🇪 ⬇️ 1/8
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
🔥 ⚖️ #ClimateLitigation history happening right now at Higher Court of Hamm🇩🇪: follow with us this precedent-setting ruling in #SaulvsRWE.
🗣️ Today's decision cld be a turning point in efforts to make polluters pay for climate harms.
🧵 thread with context, insights from the Court & legal arguments👇
🗣️ Today's decision cld be a turning point in efforts to make polluters pay for climate harms.
🧵 thread with context, insights from the Court & legal arguments👇
May 28, 2025 at 7:33 AM
🔥 ⚖️ #ClimateLitigation history happening right now at Higher Court of Hamm🇩🇪: follow with us this precedent-setting ruling in #SaulvsRWE.
🗣️ Today's decision cld be a turning point in efforts to make polluters pay for climate harms.
🧵 thread with context, insights from the Court & legal arguments👇
🗣️ Today's decision cld be a turning point in efforts to make polluters pay for climate harms.
🧵 thread with context, insights from the Court & legal arguments👇
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
Jumping on line and going on again about Adaptation Futures 2025 as it’s the biggest climate adaptation event- held in both virtual & in person formats because we can’t keep flying to save the planet but come and stay longer - first time NZ & Pacific has hosted this
February 9, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Jumping on line and going on again about Adaptation Futures 2025 as it’s the biggest climate adaptation event- held in both virtual & in person formats because we can’t keep flying to save the planet but come and stay longer - first time NZ & Pacific has hosted this
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
New Zealand has argued states shouldn’t be bound by international human rights law to reduce their climate pollution, in its submission to a landmark climate case being heard by the International Court of Justice.
newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/16/n...
newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/16/n...
NZ swims against Pacific currents at global climate case
NZ's arguments before the 'World's Court' look progressive but ultimately align with polluters and developed nations, a law lecturer says.
newsroom.co.nz
December 16, 2024 at 9:02 PM
New Zealand has argued states shouldn’t be bound by international human rights law to reduce their climate pollution, in its submission to a landmark climate case being heard by the International Court of Justice.
newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/16/n...
newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/16/n...
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
Using the opportunity to tell you about a new paper that I wrote together with Akiho Shibata about the underrated geopolitical dimension of glacial #geoengineering proposals in #Antarctica.
It’s #openaccess & available online at International Affairs here: academic.oup.com/ia/advance-a...
It’s #openaccess & available online at International Affairs here: academic.oup.com/ia/advance-a...
November 27, 2024 at 12:11 PM
Using the opportunity to tell you about a new paper that I wrote together with Akiho Shibata about the underrated geopolitical dimension of glacial #geoengineering proposals in #Antarctica.
It’s #openaccess & available online at International Affairs here: academic.oup.com/ia/advance-a...
It’s #openaccess & available online at International Affairs here: academic.oup.com/ia/advance-a...
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
Really unusual move by @nzgeo.bsky.social to open the books & show how our changing world is affecting the viability of critical magazines like NZ Geo. www.nzgeo.com/stories/our-... If you've enjoyed my work, please subscribe-it's very affordable-& help keep this shoestring powerhouse on the road🇳🇿
Our future, by the numbers
The fate of New Zealand Geographic will be decided by the cruel precision of accounting—our income less our costs, year on year. Here’s what that looks like.
www.nzgeo.com
November 5, 2024 at 12:52 AM
Really unusual move by @nzgeo.bsky.social to open the books & show how our changing world is affecting the viability of critical magazines like NZ Geo. www.nzgeo.com/stories/our-... If you've enjoyed my work, please subscribe-it's very affordable-& help keep this shoestring powerhouse on the road🇳🇿
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
The same set of documents show the fossil fuel industry heaping praise on the Government's draft Emissions Reduction Plan, the final version of which is due this month.
Energy Minister Shane Jones says the Govt is considering options to support the oil and gas industry, after RNZ obtained letters showing the industry has asked the Government to "underwrite, guarantee or hedge" some or all of the risk of fossil fuel exploration.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Oil and gas lobby asks government to underwrite fossil fuel exploration, minister 'considering options'
A fossil fuel body is warmly praising the government's "no nonsense" draft emissions plan and calling for a sustainable aviation group to be scrapped.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 1, 2024 at 7:09 PM
The same set of documents show the fossil fuel industry heaping praise on the Government's draft Emissions Reduction Plan, the final version of which is due this month.
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
Here my commentary on #COP29 with former colleagues from the Wuppertal Institute. This year, for obvious reasons, it is called "Not a Gift from God". It is high time to look for complementary initiatives like the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative! #FFNPT
wupperinst.org/fa/edaktion/...
wupperinst.org/fa/edaktion/...
wupperinst.org
November 28, 2024 at 5:32 PM
Here my commentary on #COP29 with former colleagues from the Wuppertal Institute. This year, for obvious reasons, it is called "Not a Gift from God". It is high time to look for complementary initiatives like the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative! #FFNPT
wupperinst.org/fa/edaktion/...
wupperinst.org/fa/edaktion/...
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
🚨🔥In 2 weeks, we will enter a historic moment as Advisory Proceedings on #ClimateJustice enter public phase at ⚖️ 🇺🇳International Court of Justice
🫵📢 Now: it’s your turn to step up & show solidarity with Pacific Islanders
🧵See in thread some concrete steps YOU can take👇👇👇
🫵📢 Now: it’s your turn to step up & show solidarity with Pacific Islanders
🧵See in thread some concrete steps YOU can take👇👇👇
November 18, 2024 at 10:19 AM
🚨🔥In 2 weeks, we will enter a historic moment as Advisory Proceedings on #ClimateJustice enter public phase at ⚖️ 🇺🇳International Court of Justice
🫵📢 Now: it’s your turn to step up & show solidarity with Pacific Islanders
🧵See in thread some concrete steps YOU can take👇👇👇
🫵📢 Now: it’s your turn to step up & show solidarity with Pacific Islanders
🧵See in thread some concrete steps YOU can take👇👇👇
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
All the quotes in this are some version of experts asking, with a heavy, tired irony: "WHO COULD HAVE POSSIBLY KNOWN?"
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Australia’s carbon credits system a failure on global scale, study finds
Researchers find carbon offsets approach, which is supposed to regenerate scrubby outback forests, was not reducing emissions as promised
www.theguardian.com
March 26, 2024 at 8:50 PM
All the quotes in this are some version of experts asking, with a heavy, tired irony: "WHO COULD HAVE POSSIBLY KNOWN?"
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
As of next week, the oceans will have set a rather preposterous heat record every day for a year.
March 7, 2024 at 12:21 AM
As of next week, the oceans will have set a rather preposterous heat record every day for a year.
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
A HUGE win for the climate in Smith vs Fonterra Supreme Court ruling
Huge win for the climate in Smith vs Fonterra Supreme Court ruling - Greenpeace Aotearoa
The Supreme Court has today ruled in favour of Northland iwi leader Mike Smith’s (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu) climate case continuing to trial. The case is against Fonterra and six other…
www.greenpeace.org
February 7, 2024 at 12:06 AM
A HUGE win for the climate in Smith vs Fonterra Supreme Court ruling
Climate activist wins chance to sue Fonterra, Z Energy | www.stuff.co.nz/environment/... by @oliviawannan.bsky.social
Stuff
www.stuff.co.nz
February 7, 2024 at 12:32 AM
Climate activist wins chance to sue Fonterra, Z Energy | www.stuff.co.nz/environment/... by @oliviawannan.bsky.social
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
There was no press release about it, but Transport Minister Simeon Brown has quietly told officials to stop work on policies that would provide transport alternatives to private cars.
newsroom.co.nz/2023/12/17/g...
newsroom.co.nz/2023/12/17/g...
Government quietly defunds transport climate work
Transport Minister Simeon Brown wouldn't say whether the Government will completely scrap the targets for reducing private car usage.
newsroom.co.nz
December 17, 2023 at 4:28 AM
There was no press release about it, but Transport Minister Simeon Brown has quietly told officials to stop work on policies that would provide transport alternatives to private cars.
newsroom.co.nz/2023/12/17/g...
newsroom.co.nz/2023/12/17/g...
Surprise, surprise - big oil unfazed by ‘historic’ COP28 agreement
December 17, 2023 at 12:36 AM
Surprise, surprise - big oil unfazed by ‘historic’ COP28 agreement
Good overview of COP28 outcome by @dpcarrington.bsky.social
Good Cop, bad Cop: what the Cop28 agreement says and what it means
Some say the deal is historic, others that it is weak. We look closely at the text for the truth of the matter
www.theguardian.com
December 14, 2023 at 9:24 PM
Good overview of COP28 outcome by @dpcarrington.bsky.social
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
"This agreement delivers on making it clear to all financial institutions, businesses and societies that we are now finally at the true "beginning of the end" of the fossil-fuel driven world economy”, PIK Director Johan Rockström on #COP28 closing: www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
December 13, 2023 at 4:23 PM
"This agreement delivers on making it clear to all financial institutions, businesses and societies that we are now finally at the true "beginning of the end" of the fossil-fuel driven world economy”, PIK Director Johan Rockström on #COP28 closing: www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
Not even the bare minimum…
COP28 just adopted this text now.
Insufficient for climate emergency
"Transitioning away from fossil fuels" is not the needed emergency break
Large loopholes for fossil fuels in long term
Not a clear signal for fossil phase out
Not historic only the bare minimum
Insufficient for climate emergency
"Transitioning away from fossil fuels" is not the needed emergency break
Large loopholes for fossil fuels in long term
Not a clear signal for fossil phase out
Not historic only the bare minimum
New #COP28 text
A little better but still insufficient for climate emergency
"Transitioning away from fossil fuels" is not the needed emergency break
Large loopholes for fossil fuels in long term.
Not a clear signal for fossil phase out
unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
A little better but still insufficient for climate emergency
"Transitioning away from fossil fuels" is not the needed emergency break
Large loopholes for fossil fuels in long term.
Not a clear signal for fossil phase out
unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
December 13, 2023 at 7:55 AM
Not even the bare minimum…
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
At the centre of the surreality of the situation is this: the Climate Commission report was written for a government with a distinct vision of what the climate response will look like, but it has been received by a Government with no clear picture of the future.
newsroom.co.nz/2023/12/13/c...
newsroom.co.nz/2023/12/13/c...
Climate Commission report makes for awkward reading
Among the Government's first actions on climate, spelled out in the 100-day plan and coalition agreements, are moves that directly conflict with the Climate Change Commission's advice
newsroom.co.nz
December 12, 2023 at 6:59 PM
At the centre of the surreality of the situation is this: the Climate Commission report was written for a government with a distinct vision of what the climate response will look like, but it has been received by a Government with no clear picture of the future.
newsroom.co.nz/2023/12/13/c...
newsroom.co.nz/2023/12/13/c...
Reposted by Bjørn-Oliver Magsig
Better text in sight. Better in the short term but leaves huge backdoor for fossils in the long term.
🚨 SCOOP
Bloomberg News has seen a draft of the COP28 outcome. It strengthens fossil fuel language and gets rid of the much hated "could" and replacing it with "should".
Worth noting it's not the final text. But negotiators are getting creative.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Bloomberg News has seen a draft of the COP28 outcome. It strengthens fossil fuel language and gets rid of the much hated "could" and replacing it with "should".
Worth noting it's not the final text. But negotiators are getting creative.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
New COP28 Draft Demands Swifter Fossil Fuel Transition
Climate negotiators in Dubai were huddling late Tuesday on a draft agreement that would call on nations to swiftly transition away from using fossil fuels, as they neared the end of talks meant to ave...
www.bloomberg.com
December 12, 2023 at 9:21 PM
Better text in sight. Better in the short term but leaves huge backdoor for fossils in the long term.