An oil rig situated in the ocean exploring for oil and gas.

New Zealand will ban offshore drilling and gas exploration off its coast as part of its effort to fight climate change, the country’s government announced Thursday.

New Zealand officials will stop issuing new permits for drilling and exploration but will allow efforts that are currently underway to continue, according to The New York Times. Those existing permits will expire by 2030.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that decision was made as part of the country’s effort to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions.

“When it comes to climate change, our plan is clear,” Ardern said, the newspaper reported. “We are committed to the goal of becoming a net zero emissions economy by 2050.”

She added that she wanted the country’s electricity system to fully rely on renewable energy sources by 2035.

The 22 current offshore permits will be allowed to continue until their expiration dates. However, if companies find oil and gas reserves in areas covered by […]