The Government announcing the re-opening of permits for oil and gas exploration is just the latest sign they care little for the climate crisis or the cost of living crisis climate change will exacerbate.

“Nothing says climate leadership like opening new oil and gas fields in the middle of a climate crisis,” says the Green Party’s Energy spokesperson, Scott Willis.

“Shane Jones’s notion that this is the solution to our energy crisis is farcical. This will mean higher fossil fuel emissions and ultimately, higher costs for New Zealanders.

“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 lower energy prices for New Zealanders in the next couple of years.

Our Green Budget showed that with significant investment in renewable energy, we can create jobs, lower energy bills and improve our energy security.

“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 intent on keeping us dependent on fossil fuels, and giving hundreds of millions in handouts to corporate fossil fuel lobbyists.

“A Green Government will reinstate the oil and gas ban and revoke any permits granted under the current fossil fuel-obsessed regime,”says Scott Willis.

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