Crown Minerals Amendment a great start - but much more action needed

Oil Free Wellington

8th November 2018

Oil Free Wellington is thrilled that the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill has passed its final reading in Parliament, banning new offshore oil and gas exploration in Aotearoa.

“It’s great that we finally have a government willing to stand up to the oil and gas industry, and take a big step towards confronting climate change,” said Oil Free Wellington spokesperson James Barber. “To stop carbon emissions from destroying our climate, we need to stop digging up, and burning, fossil fuels.

“This is a fantastic win for the many groups and individuals that have spent so many years campaigning for an end to harmful fossil fuel extraction. It shows that our movement against deep sea oil and gas is winning, despite a huge effort by the oil and gas industry to lobby and pressure the government into maintaining disastrous ‘business as usual’ drilling operations.

“However, this is only the first step. If the government allows the 100,000 km-worth of existing permits to be drilled, then oil and gas production could be locked in for decades to come. We cannot burn all the fossil fuels which have already been discovered, let alone allow any further exploration to take place.

“The latest IPCC reports shows the level of action needed to maintain a stable climate, and the New Zealand government is not yet doing everything that’s needed to ensure a safe future. We need a just transition to sustainable energy, and an end to all fossil fuel mining, now.”

ENDS

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