12 April, 2018

Government decision marks “the beginning of the end for the fossil fuel industry in NZ” - 350 Aotearoa

350 Aotearoa says the government’s decision to ban new offshore oil and gas projects spells the beginning of the end for fossil fuels in New Zealand.

“New Zealanders have shown that we will not stand by while the fossil fuel industry wrecks our planet. The reign of big oil and gas is over,” said Niamh O’Flynn, Executive Director of 350 Aotearoa.

“This decision didn’t come out of the blue. It came as a result of people all across the country standing up against oil and gas in New Zealand, on land, at sea, in petitions, in submissions, in rallies, and in conversations in our communities. This is a win for all of us!”

This morning Jacinda Ardern announced the end of the offshore ‘block offer’ process, in which industry is offered rights to explore for oil and gas in our coastal waters. Onshore blocks of Taranaki are still on offer to the fossil fuel industry, and none of the existing permits, onshore or offshore, have been affected.

“Today’s announcement is a momentous first step, but we’ve still got a long way to go. We must stand with the communities in Taranaki that are still facing new oil and gas exploration. We must continue working to stop all offshore oil and gas projects, and to support communities with existing fossil fuel projects to make a fair and just transition to a renewable energy future.”

350 Aotearoa commends the government for showing leadership in supporting affected workers and the Taranaki region to transition in new directions.

“The fossil fuel industry caused and funded the denial of climate change, and now they’re paying the price. New Zealand is turning to face our fossil free future.”

ENDS.

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