Coal Action Network Aotearoa, along with a number of other groups, has decided to support a 10-year moratorium on new coal mining and new coal-fired power stations as a call to be made to political parties during the pre-election period, in the following form:

Call: We call for a ten-year moratorium on new coal mining and new coal-fired power stations in New Zealand.

Reason for the moratorium: Burning coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel activity on the planet. We are facing runaway climate change which will destroy our children’s and grandchildren’s lives and livelihoods. Based on what we know now, we must keep the coal (including lignite) in the ground rather than risk a massive increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Note: In making this moratorium call prior to the 2011 General Election, we are not departing from CAN Aotearoa’s overall position, which is that we call for the phasing out of coal mining and coal usage in Aotearoa/New Zealand within 20 years, initially by opposing new and expanded coal mines.