Like the last group at a bar who just won’t leave, the oil and gas industry have overstayed their welcome in New Zealand.
It’s clear to ECO that the nation must ditch its toxic relationship with the fossil fuel industry and commit to renewables.
While governments around the world are calling for a phase out of fossil fuels, it is disappointing to see that New Zealand is busy playing dirty games, and making promises that will prove to be no more than a fantasy.
The ruling party has a long love affairs with the fossil fuel industry – from its energy minister promoting “sexy coal” in 2012, to criminalising protests near oil infrastructure in 2013, to now – in 2023 – trying to woe the fossil industry back to bed six years since their last encounter. This time, its attraction is to gas – but it’s clear to ECO that the relationship is doomed to end up in a fling.
The Government claims that this relationship will help it to finally cut ties with Big Coal – but at the same time, amongst friends, it is talking about increasing its investment in that relationship, too.
However, a new report “Closing Time” is clear; there is no future for New Zealand’s relationships with fossils. It ended six years ago with the Labour Government’s offshore exploration ban. If the current Government restarts it, it will be quick, dirty and full of regret. Opposition parties are already committed to dumping the industry again, hopefully for good, when they return to power.
Nonetheless, it’s not all bad news! The nation’s energy soulmate is patiently waiting for New Zealand to commit 100% – after years of trying to build a life together. According to the report, New Zealand is uniquely well prepared for a just transition to an exclusive, long-term relationship with renewables – which it relies on for electricity almost 90% of the time. And unlike some countries whose reliance on fossil fuels has resulted in some very messy attempts at a split, New Zealand’s isolation and independence mean it has a chance at a clean break.
It’s time for New Zealand to move on. Rather than pursuing false solutions to its toxic relationships, the country needs to develop a solid exit plan. It’s time to listen to the calls from civil society to break up with the fossil fuel industry, and to fully commit to a future with sexy renewables. The world is screaming that it’s Closing Time for fossil fuels – will New Zealand listen?