The letter of our Co-Chair to the Prime Minister about offshore oil and gas exploration – December 2023
“The Prime Minister,
Right Honorable Christopher Luxon
Dear Mr. Luxon,
The announcement of the UAE consensus from COP 28 this morning signals the end of the fossil fuel era. As much of this morning’s news commentary says, most of us realized this a long time ago, but it is good to have it affirmed in a global forum. We thank Climate Change Minister Simon Watts for pushing for stronger wording.
This makes the government’s reopening of New Zealand waters for oil and gas exploration strangely and embarrassingly out of step. 80% of respondents in a recent NZ Ipsos poll said they are worried about climate impacts on NZ communities, and most of these want action taken.
May we suggest that the government acknowledge the momentous global shift in priorities and in the light of that, maintain the cessation of offshore exploration for oil and gas? I believe you would receive widespread approbation for ensuring that the New Zealand government is aligned with the direction that global public policy and private sector investments are both taking.
Yours sincerely,
Joanna Santa Barbara,
Co-Chair, Nelson Tasman Climate Forum“.