Minister Shane Jones Directs New Zealand Rejection of Global Fossil Fuel Transition Map
Resources Minister Shane Jones personally intervened to prevent New Zealand negotiators from signing a pivotal global climate agreement in Brazil. Released documents confirm the decision to reject the fossil fuel transition plan defied advice from foreign affairs officials who supported the pledge.
Government Policy Shifts Toward Resource Extraction
The coalition government has aggressively pivoted away from previous conservation targets since taking office. This strategic realignment includes reversing the 2018 ban on offshore oil and gas exploration. Officials also withdrew the nation from the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance in June 2025. These moves signal a broader prioritization of traditional energy sectors over aggressive decarbonization timelines. Minister Jones has consistently pushed for policies that favor economic development through natural resource use. This approach contrasts sharply with the strategies of the previous administration.
Minister Overrules Officials to Reject Declaration
Documents obtained under the Official Information Act reveal a sharp disagreement between political leadership and diplomatic advice. Foreign affairs staff concluded the Belém Declaration aligned with existing policy and posed no risk to national interests. They advised that signing the document would support government priorities. Minister Jones rejected this assessment and directed the negotiating team at the COP30 summit to abstain from the accord. The declaration sought to establish a framework for nations to move away from fossil fuel reliance.
Ultimately 24 nations signed the agreement on the final day of the summit. This group included key partners such as Australia and the United Kingdom. Minister Jones dismissed the initiative as "lofty" and disconnected from the realities of energy management. He argued that the political origins of the agreement did not match his practical approach to governance.
Rationale for Dismissing the Pledge
Jones defended the move by citing immediate energy security needs. He emphasized that New Zealand must use imported coal and domestic gas to maintain stability. The minister argued that current transition plans underestimate the time required to switch energy systems. He stated that denying access to fossil fuels would jeopardize the future of the country.
Diplomatic Rift Widens with Traditional Allies
This decision places New Zealand at odds with key international partners and Pacific neighbors. Environmental organizations warn that this isolation damages the country's reputation as a climate leader. Critics argue the refusal to join the coalition undermines global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. Domestic political opponents claim the move highlights the outsized influence of the New Zealand First party on climate policy.
The government continues to pursue a strategy focused on using diverse energy sources. Officials maintain that economic growth requires a steady supply of traditional fuels while renewable capacity expands.
