The New Zealand government announced that it will not offer no new offshore oil exploration permits in oil and and gas companies. The ban will regard new permits, and will not impact the current 22 permits. This move was warmly welcomed as a very important step towards protecting the environment.
The ban will apply to new permits and won’t affect the existing 22, some of which are still valid for decades and cover an area of 100,000 sq km.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, said that the transition to a carbon-neutral future, will take effect in 30 or more years’ time.
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The Labour party government committed to tackle climate change, by transitioning to 100% of electricity generation from renewable sources by 2035. The government also wants a carbon neutral economy by 2050.
Greenpeace Executive Director, Russel Norman noted:
By ending new oil and gas exploration in our waters, the fourth-largest exclusive economic zone on the planet is out of bounds for new fossil fuel exploitation. New Zealand has stood up to one of the most powerful industries in the world.
However, the opposition party did not welcome this decision, describing as an “economic vandalism”, that doesn’t have environmental sense.
