New Zealand is aiming to switch to renewable energy only by 2035, following its ban in 2018 of new offshore oil and gas projects. The last of its existing permits for such activity will expire in the late 2040s, but campaigners and government ministers hope renewables will squeeze out traditional energy suppliers before then.
Greenpeace had lobbied the New Zealand government to implement the ban, and declared the move a “historic monument” and “a huge win for our climate and people power”. Other conservation groups said the policy sent a signal to the fossil fuel sector that its days are numbered. “Keeping New Zealand’s oil and gas in the ground reduces everyone’s risk, and tells the world we’re serious about reducing our contribution to climate change,” said Forest & Bird Conservation Group CEO Kevin Hague.
In late 2019, the government said it wanted to move New Zealand away from fossil fuels towards more solar, wind and other renewable sources, with the ambition to be using 100% renewable electricity by 2035. “New Zealanders want a transition away from fossil fuels and towards home-grown clean energy. Currently, the cost of renewables is falling, making them cheaper than fossil fuels. That means increasing renewables will deliver lower energy costs, lower emissions and more jobs,” said Minister for Energy and Resources Megan Woods.
It intends to levy a tax on polluting industries and set emissions targets in order to encourage a widespread switch to renewable energy before non-renewables are phased out as part of the ban on new oil and gas permits.
further reading…
New Zealand is aiming to switch to renewable energy only by 2035, following its ban in 2018 of new offshore oil and gas projects. The last of its existing permits for such activity will expire in the late 2040s, but campaigners and government ministers hope renewables will squeeze out traditional energy suppliers before then.
Greenpeace had lobbied the New Zealand government to implement the ban, and declared the move a “historic monument” and “a huge win for our climate and people power”. Other conservation groups said the policy sent a signal to the fossil fuel sector that its days are numbered. “Keeping New Zealand’s oil and gas in the ground reduces everyone’s risk, and tells the world we’re serious about reducing our contribution to climate change,” said Forest & Bird Conservation Group CEO Kevin Hague.
In late 2019, the government said it wanted to move New Zealand away from fossil fuels towards more solar, wind and other renewable sources, with the ambition to be using 100% renewable electricity by 2035. “New Zealanders want a transition away from fossil fuels and towards home-grown clean energy. Currently, the cost of renewables is falling, making them cheaper than fossil fuels. That means increasing renewables will deliver lower energy costs, lower emissions and more jobs,” said Minister for Energy and Resources Megan Woods.
It intends to levy a tax on polluting industries and set emissions targets in order to encourage a widespread switch to renewable energy before non-renewables are phased out as part of the ban on new oil and gas permits.