Climate & Energy — Green Party's Binding 2035 Fossil Fuel Phase-Out

The Policy: Green Party Climate Change Policy →

The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand commits to ensuring New Zealand "will be on track to end fossil-fuel use and production no later than 2035, through legally binding mechanisms." This target sits at the heart of the party's climate platform, framed as necessary to limit global warming to within 1.5°C of pre-industrial levels with no overshoot. The Greens also commit to ending coal use by 2030, five years ahead of the broader fossil fuel deadline, and to phasing out fossil fuels in a way that places the greatest burden on industrial polluters rather than low-income households.

The current National-ACT-NZ First coalition government takes a sharply different view. It has reversed Labour's 2018 offshore oil and gas exploration ban through the Crown Minerals Amendment Act 2025, changed the purpose of the Crown Minerals Act from "managing" to "promoting" mineral extraction, and scrapped or wound back a range of clean energy incentives. The government frames expanded gas exploration as an energy security necessity given declining domestic gas reserves.

What it does:

• Commits to ending all fossil fuel use and production in New Zealand no later than 2035, enforced through legally binding mechanisms rather than voluntary targets
• Sets a coal phase-out deadline of 2030, five years earlier than the broader 2035 target
• Requires New Zealand's legislated emissions reduction targets and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to align with a 1.5°C pathway with no overshoot
• Ensures the fossil fuel phase-out is designed so the greatest burden falls on large industrial polluters, not low-income or marginalised communities
• Calls for regional citizens' assemblies empowered to develop climate adaptation plans under Just Transition principles

Where things stand:

The most significant legislative battle over this policy area has been the reversal of New Zealand's 2018 offshore oil and gas exploration ban. The Crown Minerals Amendment Bill was introduced by NZ First Resources Minister Shane Jones in September 2024. Despite 94.5% of submitters opposing the bill during select committee hearings, it passed its third reading on 31 July 2025 and received royal assent on 5 August 2025. The Green Party and Labour both opposed the bill, arguing it worsened New Zealand's climate trajectory and damaged international credibility.

On the broader emissions front, New Zealand is projected to miss its third emissions budget (2031–2035) by approximately nine million tonnes under current government policies — a budget that runs directly up to the Green Party's 2035 fossil fuel deadline. The government released its second Emissions Reduction Plan in December 2024, but climate analysts and the Climate Change Commission found it insufficient to close the gap. New Zealand is rated "Highly Insufficient" by the independent Climate Action Tracker, which warns that if all countries followed New Zealand's current approach, global warming could reach 3°C to 4°C.

In June 2026, the Green Party used its State of the Planet address to call for a National Electrification Plan, arguing electrification of homes, transport and industry was the practical route off fossil fuels and to genuine energy security. Co-leader Chloe Swarbrick described the current government's approach as leaving households exposed to volatile global fossil fuel markets.

What to watch:

• The 2026 election — the Green Party has pledged to reintroduce the offshore oil and gas exploration ban upon returning to government, making fossil fuel policy a direct election dividing line
• Third emissions budget (2031–2035) — the Climate Change Commission will continue to assess whether the government's policies are sufficient to meet this budget; a significant projected miss of nine million tonnes makes this a key accountability moment
• New oil and gas permits under the Crown Minerals Amendment Act 2025 — whether new exploration permits are actually issued (and whether commercial finds result) will test the government's energy security rationale and the environmental cost of reversing the ban