Over twenty groups so far, representing communities across Aotearoa directly affected by mining and drilling alongside
iwi representatives, students, environment and health organisations such as Coal Action Aotearoa Network, Climate
Justice Taranaki, Taranaki Energy Watch, Ora Taiao, Fridays for Future, 350, Generation Zero, Oxfam, Forest & Bird and WWF launched a petition with protests today, calling on the government to end all new fossil fuel extraction
as soon as next year.
The petition calls to “ban any new oil and gas prospecting, exploration and mining permits including extensions of
existing permits in Taranaki and to ban any new coal mines or expansion of existing coal mines in Aotearoa by 2022.” It
also focuses on existing permits calling for “an end to prospecting, exploration and re-drilling in all existing fossil
fuel permits by 2025 to allow only for current production to come to an end.”
“Essentially the petition is an urgent demand that the government do more and do it faster to transition us off fossil
fuels,” says Climate Justice Taranaki spokesperson Tuhi-Ao Bailey. “We can’t ask for communities to urgently reduce
their energy use and change their lifestyles while the government still allows fossil fuel companies to continue
extraction for decades. We are in a climate emergency and need to transition off fossil fuels urgently. Carbon neutral
by 2050 is far too late.”
“Energy provinces hold solutions for energy security in Aotearoa through demonstrating a substantial reduction and
re-prioritisation of energy use across all sectors with careful investment in public controlled renewable energies, a
shift from the export-import economy to a domestic focused economy, and investment in our communities to transition
safely and fairly off fossil fuels.”
“The oil and gas industry has exploited Taranaki for over a century,” says Sarah Roberts of Taranaki Energy Watch. “The
contaminant discharges of the industry into the land, water and air degrade our environment and negatively impact on the
people who live nearby. A recent Court case and local district plan shows there are potential fatality risks and
consequences beyond the boundaries of petroleum sites.”
“2021 has seen an alarming increase of petroleum activities in Taranaki, with Todd Energy’s 24 new wells being drilled
around Tikorangi and Greymouth Petroleum’s widespread seismic surveys across the province. Seismic surveys using
explosives or vibroseis trucks are highly invasive, with risks of damage to water supply, structures, land value and the
well-being of people and animals. The industry does not have a social license to continue to operate in Taranaki.”
Tim Jones, spokesperson for Coal Action Network Aotearoa said “the coal industry continues to seek resource consents for
new and expanded coal mines, despite the social and environmental harms locally and globally, and the urgent need for
heat plants, boilers and electricity generation to transition to 100% renewable energy. There is no place for new or
expanded coal mines in a climate emergency. We need a planned, just transition to low-carbon jobs for coal mining
communities.”
“The continuation of coal, oil and gas exploration, extraction and reliance is not consistent with our obligations to
reduce greenhouse emissions and contribute to keeping global warming below 1.5C. Energy experts like Dr Sven Teske, the
UNEP Production Gap Report, and even the International Energy Agency now all agree that there's no room for new fossil
fuel production if we are to limit warming to 1.5ºC. Aotearoa is not doing enough and has been pushed to give
multinational companies like Methanex and Rio Tinto a free ride while stockpiling masses of unspent carbon credits from
polluters and not planting enough trees fast enough to counter our emissions.”
“Current petroleum production permits alone can allow for transition away from fossil fuels if serious efforts are put
into reducing and re-prioritising energy use,” continued Bailey. “Methanex alone uses up 40% of Taranaki's fossil gas
production to essentially make plastic. Early closure of the plant, before the currently suggested 2040, would free up
substantial amounts of energy needed for essential services and transitioning communities instead”.
“The Taranaki Regional and District Councils Mayors, along with many others, have all signed onto the Local Government
Leaders Climate Change Declaration. It is time to deliver the promises - implement ambitious emissions reduction action
plans and support resilience within councils and local communities. These will substantially benefit our communities,
create new jobs and business opportunities, improve public health, and create stronger, more connected communities.”
Link to the petition https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/no-new-petroleum-permits-in-onshore-taranaki-no-new-or-expanded-coal-mines-in-aotearoa
Groups in support of the petition:
Climate Justice Taranaki
Taranaki Energy Watch
Coal Action Network Aotearoa
Ora Taiao: New Zealand Climate and Health Council
Pou Take Ahuarangi, National Iwi Chairs Forum
Para Kore
Pacific Panther Network
Te Waka Hourua
Generation Zero
Fridays for Future, Wellington
350 Aotearoa
Oxfam Aotearoa
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of NZ
Parents For Climate Aotearoa
Environment & Conservation Organisation of Aotearoa NZ (ECO)
World Wildlife Foundation (WWF-NZ)
Extinction Rebellion Aotearoa NZ
Environmental Justice Otepoti
Frack Free Aotearoa NZ
Ecologic Foundation
Wise Response Society Inc
Waikato Environment Centre Trust (Go Eco)
Stop The Coal Monster Campaign, Nelson Tasman
The Rubbish Trip