The Government’s reckless decision to repeal the oil and gas ban will inflame the climate and cost of living crises, says the Green Party.
“Today, Christopher Luxon’s Government committed to higher power bills and fossil fuel dependence. This Government keeps choosing to undermine our resilience rather than transition to clean, green energy,” says Green Party Co-Leader and Climate Spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick.
“It takes an average of 16 years to go from exploration to production of fossil fuels. The Government knows reversing the oil and gas ban won’t deliver anything in the short to medium term but ultimately means far greater emissions, and far higher costs.
“Just a fortnight ago, Nelson-Tasman was hit with yet another climate change charged weather event. Farmers were among those hit first and worst.
“Christopher Luxon says the Government won’t keep ‘bailing out flooded homeowners,’ then passes legislation which he knows will increase climate changing emissions, and the frequency and severity of those very extreme weather events.
“A Green Government will ban oil and gas exploration and make the commonsense investment decisions for the modern, resilient country we all deserve.
“Instead of $200 million of taxpayer money in subsidies for fossil fuel corporations, we will rapidly expand renewable energy infrastructure and reduce New Zealanders’ energy bills.
“The Greens will rapidly reduce climate changing emissions, reduce the cost of living and improve quality of life. This Government, on the other hand, seems to measure its success by how much of corporate lobbyists’ wishlists it can tick off,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.