UN chief makes demands on polluting countries, New Zealand’s oil and gas exploration ignored

New Zealand’s gas supplies have been under the spotlight recently as energy prices soared, leading to the closure of two timber mills in the central North Island. Regional Development Minister and Resources Minister Shane Jones has praised oil and gas exploration as a way to bolster the country’s reserves.

However, the decision to reverse the ban has raised serious concerns about its impact on New Zealand’s emissions and its impact on the environment.

Guterres said today that he had not spoken to Luxembourg about lifting the ban, but he said it would be futile.

“The only thing I can tell you is that any oil and gas that is discovered from now on I’m absolutely certain will never be used.”

This is Guterres’ second visit to New Zealand, with his last visit being shortly after the Christchurch terrorist attack in 2019.

In addition to his meeting with Luxembourg, Guterres also had dinner with Foreign Minister Winston Peters at his home in Auckland on Friday evening.

Guterres told reporters today that he was attending the Pacific Islands Forum to “show solidarity with Pacific countries” with a focus on climate change.

“They don’t contribute to climate change… I visited Samoa and saw many communities having to relocate because of rising sea levels.

“Sea level rise is now twice as high as it was in the 1990s.”

He called Pacific nations “victims of the climate” and “victims of an unfair international financial architecture.”

“So another very strong message is that we share their concerns about the need to reform the international financial architecture and provide more finance to developing countries so that they can invest in adapting to climate change and protecting their populations.”

Peters arrived in Tonga today and had planned to enjoy a morning church service and choral service on the first day before the forum’s opening ceremony on Monday.

Adam Pearse is a political reporter for the New Zealand Herald, based at Parliament. He has worked for NZME since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangarei before moving to the NZ Herald in Auckland, covering COVID-19 and crime.