The Green Party leader criticized the new government’s plan to expand oil and gas exploration, calling it dangerous and unscientific. In response, the New Zealand Green Party started a petition urging the right-of-center government to stop reversing the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration. This decision came after the coalition government announced a plan to repeal the ban introduced by the former Labour government in 2018, which aimed to accelerate New Zealand’s transition to a carbon-neutral future in 30 years.
The coalition government has not provided specific details about the repeal but believes it could reduce the country’s reliance on imported coal and allow gas to be used as a transition fuel as New Zealand moves toward net zero by 2050. However, the Greens strongly oppose the government’s plan, labeling it “unscientific” and urging people to come together to stop it. Party co-leader James Shaw emphasized that burning fossil fuels drives the planet’s temperature higher, causing severe damage to homes and communities, and stated it made no sense to repeal the ban as fossil fuels are not the future.
Shaw also asserted that the country’s energy needs could be met entirely with renewable sources. He warned that his party would reintroduce the ban as soon as the new parliament assembled. The Greens currently hold 15 of 122 seats in the federal parliament and have received nearly 8,000 signatures on their petition.
On the other hand, the oil and gas industry welcomed the government’s decision, with the CEO of Energy Resources Aotearoa stating that reversing the ban was necessary to prevent energy shortages and address risk factors. He emphasized that more gas would lead to a more diverse, affordable, and reliable energy system. The CEO refuted the argument that renewable energy was the only solution to the climate crisis, asserting that gas could play an important role in helping New Zealand achieve its climate targets. He stressed the need to be realistic and pragmatic in approaching the net zero target with renewables, as they may not be able to provide secure, reliable, and affordable electricity at all times.