The new data from Greenpeace shows that the predicted emissions from Woodside’s Burrup Hub are far greater than all other proposed fossil fuel projects currently undergoing federal environmental approvals.

The Burrup Hub’s emissions are bigger than the combined total of the next two largest proposed fossil fuel projects in Australia: the Beetaloo Tamboran and the Peak Downs Extension.

The data comes as Western Australian experts and campaigners join today’s roundtable discussion on the Burrup Hub hosted by West Australian MPs Kate Chaney and Josh Wilson, including the Conservation Council of WA, Environs Kimberley, Doctors for the Environment WA and Greenpeace.

The delegation will highlight the staggering climate threat of Woodside’s Burrup Hub, alongside evidence of the devastating nature impacts.

The Browse field, the most polluting part of the Burrup Hub, would see up to 50 gas wells drilled around the stunning Scott Reef, which is home to endangered pygmy blue whales and green turtles.

*Graph verified by Greenpeace, emissions data sourced from Sunrise, Climate Analytics and Greenpeace.

Jess Panegyres, Head of Clean Energy Transition at Greenpeace Australia Pacific said:

“This data proves that Woodside’s massive Burrup Hub project is far and away the most polluting fossil fuel proposal in Australia – it’s a disaster in the making for our environment and our climate.

“We know that Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek will soon decide whether to let Woodside develop the most polluting parts of the Burrup Hub – Browse, and the Northwest Shelf extension.

“Browse, part of the Burrup Hub, would see gas wells drilled near the stunning Scott Reef, in a Biologically Important Area for endangered pygmy blue whales and turtles. We are asking Minister Plibersek to protect Scott Reef and the endangered species that call it home from Woodside’s dangerous project.

“In the last few weeks we’ve seen Woodside pressuring the government to weaken federal environment laws to make it quicker and easier for Woodside to start seismic testing for the Burrup Hub.

“Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill knows that across Australia communities are increasingly pushing back against new fossil fuel projects, so is trying to rush this through as fast as she can – despite this project’s enormous environmental harm.”

Anna Chapman, Fossil Fuels Program Manager, Conservation Council of Western Australia said:

“Off Australia’s Kimberley coastline, the ecologically vital Scott Reef, the country’s largest standalone coral reef, faces severe threats from Woodside’s Browse to North West Shelf gas project. This venture, part of the controversial Burrup Hub, plans to extract gas from directly beneath the reef.

“The delicate ecosystem of Scott Reef, already endangered by climate change, confronts further risks, including seismic blasting, and the potential for a catastrophic gas well blowout if Woodside’s project proceeds.

“This is a crucial climate and environmental decision for Australia. Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and State Environment Minister Reece Whitby must reject these proposals.”

Dr Richard Yin, Deputy Chair Doctors for the Environment Australia said:

“Climate care is health care. If the Burrup Hub project proceeds, emissions from the project will fuel further devastating heatwaves and bushfires such as those that Perth has recently experienced which has threatened homes and lives.

“Across our state, from floods and extreme heat in the north, through to droughts and bushfires in the south, we are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. For the sake of our children and their future health, the Burrup Hub project must not proceed.”

Martin Pritchard, Director of Strategy, Environs Kimberley said:

“Communities in the Kimberley’s Fitzroy Valley were devastated by the biggest recorded floods in Western Australia’s history earlier this year and what the science tells us is that opening new oil and gas fields is going to lead to these catastrophic events happening much more often.

“If fossil fuel proposals like Woodside’s Browse Basin gas project at Scott Reef are approved then future temperature projections show us that the Kimberley will be unliveable by the end of this century because it won’t be possible to live a healthy life here, it will be too hot.

“Risking Scott Reef and the Kimberley coast to oil and gas pollution is strongly opposed by the community and a spill there would devastate the globally significant marine hotspot and multi-million dollar tourism industry.”

CONTACT: 

Dylan Quinnell 0450 668 350

Kimberley Bernard (in Canberra on the day) 0407 581 404

Event details:

PHOTO OPP: 8.50AM-9.15AM, PARLIAMENT HOUSE LAWN.

Campaigners, experts and politicians on the lawns of parliament and banners and signs.

• Kate Chaney MP, independent member for Curtin
• Josh Wilson MP, Labor member for Fremantle
• Monique Ryan, independent member for Kooyong
• Graham Perret, Labor member for Moreton
• Zoe Daniels, independent member for Goldstein
• Anna Chapman, Fossil Fuels Program Manager, Conservation Council of WA (CCWA)
• Jess Panegyres, Head of Clean Energy Transition, Greenpeace
• Sophie McNeill, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace
• Dr. Richard Yin, Doctors for The Environment WA
• Martin Pritchard, Director of Strategy, Environs Kimberley

ROUNDTABLE: 10AM PARLIAMENT HOUSE, 1R4

Hosted by Kate Chaney MP, independent member for Curtin and Josh Wilson MP, Labor member for Fremantle, featuring:

• Alex Hillman, Lead Analyst, Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR)
• Anna Chapman, Fossil Fuels Program Manager, Conservation Council of WA (CCWA)
• Jess Panegyres, Head of Clean Energy Transition, Greenpeace
• Dr. Richard Yin, Doctors for The Environment WA
• Martin Pritchard, Director of Strategy, Environs Kimberley
• Sophie McNeill, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace will be moderating the event

NOTES:

Images and footage of the Scott Reef where Woodside is proposing to drill for gas available here

Images and footage of Woodside infrastructure available here.

Images and footage of the photo opp outside Parliament House will be available on Monday from 10.30am.

The deal, struck by the Albanese Government with Greens and cross-bench independents to reform the policy, will put a hard, declining cap on emissions in the industrial sector, and places some welcome new restrictions on new coal and gas projects, but falls short of explicitly ruling them out. 

Glenn Walker, Head of Advocacy and Strategy at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the most important task at hand for the Australian Parliament is to rule out new fossil fuel mines in favour of clean, future-proof industries.

“After a decade of inaction, we welcome this progress on emissions reduction from the Australian parliament. It is true that this deal does not go as far as the science requires, but continued policy paralysis was unpalatable and momentum is essential. 

“While the improvements in the deal make the Safeguard Mechanism policy stronger, there will be a need for ongoing changes to close up remaining loopholes. In particular, despite some changes to how carbon offsets will be used, we remain concerned about coal and gas companies simply buying up carbon offsets rather than reducing emissions.

“The world’s leading scientists are crystal clear; we cannot open up new coal, oil and gas mines if we are to have a chance at a safer future. The mining and burning of coal, oil and gas are the number one drivers of climate change. Enough is enough.

“It is time for the old, dangerous and highly polluting coal and gas industries to be replaced by clean, modern alternatives. In doing so, we can build a renewables-driven economy, create new jobs and support a healthier environment.

“We congratulate the Greens and independents for pushing hard to strengthen the policy and Minister Bowen for negotiating a workable outcome.

“Meanwhile, it remains deeply disappointing that the Coalition continues to oppose any real progress on climate. Under Peter Dutton, the Coalition is simply straying further into the doldrums of obstruction and irrelevance. A responsible Opposition would be seeking to push the government to cut emissions with greater urgency rather than attempting to hinder the progress being made.

“The Safeguard Mechanism is clearly an imperfect tool that imperfectly addresses just one part of the problem – industrial emissions created in Australia.

“Our political leaders must understand that Australia’s domestic emissions are dwarfed by the pollution from the coal and gas we ship overseas. Australia is one of the top three global dealers in these toxic fossil fuels. Like drug dealers, it’s disingenuous for big polluters like Woodside to simply claim the serious harm caused by their products is not their problem because their customers want it so badly.

“The next priority climate actions from the Australian Parliament needs to be closing up remaining loopholes in the new Safeguard Mechanism policy, rapidly scaling up clean industries, preventing new coal and gas projects like Woodside’s Burrup Hub expansion, and implementing policies that will electrify our country, including strong fuel efficiency standards.”

— ENDS —

Jess Panegyres, Head of Clean Transitions at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, says that years of poor regulation of the gas industry, twinned with the rapacious gas industry’s push to capitalise on global gas price spikes are to blame for high prices.

“For too many years the Australian gas industry has been poorly regulated, able to exploit weak government policy in order to turn vast profits exporting Australian gas while Australians see very little benefit,” she said.

“These gas industry cowboys will get away with whatever they can, and don’t have Australia’s national interest at heart. All they’re interested in is making as much money as they can during the temporary global gas price spike, knowing that their dirty industry will vastly diminish in coming years as the world shifts to cleaner, cheaper renewables.”

“Let’s be clear – there is no gas shortage in Australia. The vast majority is exported, leaving Australians paying sky high prices for domestic gas. This energy crisis has demonstrated yet again that we simply can’t trust the gas industry to do the right thing by Australians.”

“The solution to this artificial energy crisis is simple – we need to kick the backward looking gas and coal industries to the kerb and accelerate Australia’s transition to cheap and abundant renewable power. States and territories like South Australia and the ACT, where the renewable transition is well underway, have lower power prices and are better protected from the bill shocks that are hurting the rest of the country.”

“The Albanese Government has vowed to transform Australia into a renewable superpower. This energy crisis proves that the time for that transition is now.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has this week written to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate spiking gas prices. A previous Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) report has found that Australian east coast gas users pay significantly above export parity prices.

—ENDS—

With huge potential to generate solar and wind energy, there’s no doubt Australia can become a renewable energy superpower. By phasing out coal, oil and gas, and ramping up wind, solar, hydro output and battery storage capacity — Australia’s energy grid will become 100% renewable, 100% self-sufficient, and 100% affordable.

So, what’s the problem? Well, major fossil fuel companies, like AGL, continue to burn coal at an extraordinary rate. It’s heating up our climate, polluting our land, air and water, destroying our health, and taking us further away from our goal to limit global heating to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 

As Australia’s largest climate polluter, AGL has a responsibility to replace its polluting coal fleet with renewable energy by 2030. That’s what both the UN and the International Energy Agency say is needed to cap temperature rise at 1.5°C. AGL currently plans to burn coal until 2048. But AGL doesn’t have to be Australia’s Greatest Liability — it can become part of the solution.

Change is happening globally — but Australia needs to get on board, ASAP

If you haven’t noticed already, global energy markets are going through a massive transitional phase — from dirty, polluting fossil fuels — to clean, affordable renewable energy. Australia’s status as a ‘coal capital’ once served us well, but now, the Morrison Government’s inability to guide the transition to renewable energy has put us at odds with our friends and allies and is making us outcasts on the international stage.

UN chief António Guterres has issued a clear, stern warning to climate laggards like Australia to end its “deadly addiction” to coal by 2030. Plus, the International Energy Agency has made it abundantly clear that if the world is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, new coal, oil or gas projects must come to an end this year. The world’s key players in the midst of a ‘green revolution’. The 2021 G7 summit saw the richest, most industrialised and most influential nations agree to stop investing in new coal-fired power projects beyond 2021 — citing the desire to achieve a decarbonised power system within the 2030s.

A green future for Australia is inevitable 

So, where does this leave Australia? The Morrison Government knows that the decline of coal, oil and gas is inevitable, and the fossil fuel industry knows it, too. That’s why some of Australia’s major polluters are already taking tentative steps towards a gradual shift away from dirty, outdated fossil fuels towards clean, green renewable energy. 

For example, EnergyAustralia took a step in the right direction earlier this year when it announced it will close Yallourn Power Station in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley in mid-2028 — four years earlier than its scheduled retirement date — and build a new 350MW utility-scale battery in the region by 2026 to boost renewable energy storage capacity. Although more action is needed, this will reduce the company’s carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 60 per cent relative to today.

Plus, Australia’s third-largest emitter, Stanwell, recently announced its plans to abandon coal and pivot towards a future in renewable energy. 

Renewable energy makes sense — because it’s cheaper than ever. 

Recently, the CSIRO confirmed that even when taking into account extra system integration costs — solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind remain the cheapest new sources of electricity.

The price of solar is plummeting faster than any other energy technology! The major growth in both large-scale and small-scale solar installations allowed solar energy to contribute 34.4 per cent of all renewable energy generation in 2020. New small-scale solar added 3 GW of capacity to the energy grid and surpassed hydro to become Australia’s second-largest source of renewable electricity.

But the growth won’t stop there! A 2016 study conducted by the Institute of Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney found that — with proper planning and preparation, plus increased investment in wind, solar, and hydro — Australia could have a fully decarbonised electricity sector by 2030 and a fully renewable energy supply system, including transport and industry, by 2050. Amazing, right?

Thanks to Aussie states and territories — we’re well on the way to reaching 100% renewable energy 

In 2020, each state and territory saw its renewable energy capacity grow by more than 20 per cent to reach a national capacity of 27 per cent — and it’s showing no signs of slowing down! Despite the presence of coal-obsessed, climate laggards within Parliament — states like Tasmania and South Australia are already proving that 100% renewable is 100% doable. 

Upon reaching 100% renewable energy capacity in November last year, Tasmania is setting its sights on a target of 200% renewable energy by 2040. It’s expected that Tassie will produce twice its current electricity needs and export the surplus to the mainland via the proposed AU$3.5 billion Marinus Link cable.

South Australia continues to prove that it’s possible to shift from coal to clean energy without hurting the economy or energy supply. SA now has about twenty large wind farms and four large solar generators in the state, with many more projects in the pipeline, including big batteries. These projects will pave the way for SA to reach 100% renewable energy by 2030, at the latest. The turnaround is a pretty impressive feat, considering that SA was 100% reliant on fossil fuel as recently as 2006!

As a traditionally coal-dominated state, New South Wales is making waves with its Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap; promising to deliver $380 million over the next four years to support 12 GW of renewable energy capacity. Plus, a recent report by Reputex found that NSW can reach 100 per cent renewable energy as early as 2030!

The continued rise of clean energy is inevitable: it’s not a question of if, but when, Australia will be powered entirely by renewables

It’s expected that five of Australia’s remaining 16 coal-burning power stations on the east coast could become financially unviable as early as 2025. Propping up these dying and potentially near-stranded assets is pointless and expensive — especially when these facilities could be transformed into sources of clean, green, affordable energy for all Australians!

Greenpeace’s report — Coal-faced: exposing AGL as Australia’s biggest climate polluter — reveals that renewable energy technologies can be implemented at scale to replace AGL’s ageing coal-burning power stations, as has happened elsewhere around the world. In the UK in 1990, coal accounted for 75 per cent of all of its electricity generation — now, it’s just 2 per cent. Closer to home, New Zealand is set to reach 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030. 

That’s why we’re calling on Australia’s biggest climate polluter, AGL, to be part of the solution. As a giant in the Australian energy sector, AGL can ensure this transition happens as quickly as possible by closing all its coal-burning power stations before 2030 and replacing them with renewable energy sources. 

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for AGL, and other major polluters, to shift their focus and get on the right side of history. We know that it’s possible, and we know that it’s necessary — but we need your help to make it happen! So, will you join us in pressuring AGL to quit coal and switch to 100% renewable electricity?

“Australia is currently experiencing extreme drought conditions, bushfires, and crippling water shortages, all of which are being driven by the climate crisis. Australia’s politicians only need to glance at the headlines to see how much climate damage our country is already enduring,” said David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

“We are living in the reality of the climate emergency, and this motion being put forth in Parliament is a critical first step to formally acknowledge the scale of the crisis we face as a nation.”

In Australia, 45 jurisdictions representing roughly 5 million people and 20 per cent of the population have declared a climate emergency, including the government of the Australian Capital Territory.

The motion comes off the back of the Australian Medical Association recognising climate change as a health emergency, stating that climate change affects health and wellbeing by increasing the situations in which infectious diseases can be transmitted, as well as through more extreme weather events such as heatwaves.

“This announcement is just nine days out from the September 20 climate strikes, which are slated to show massive nonpartisan support from all sectors of society, mobilising to demand action on climate change,” added Ritter.

For more information or interviews please contact Greenpeace Australia Pacific Communications Manager Nelli Stevenson on 0428 113 346 or email nelli.stevenson@greenpeace.org

While our federal government drags its feet on climate action, ordinary people are stepping up. Since the election, we’ve seen a surge of people from all walks of life committing what it takes to fight for a safe climate.

Together, we – the Australian people – are sounding the alarm from the ground up. Already the climate revolution has begun in our communities. Street by street, neighbourhood by neighbourhood, city by city. Driven by this rising tide of community action, a wave of councils have declared climate emergencies, with more joining all the time.

From Paris to Sydney, Auckland to Noosa, more than 160 million people are now represented by a local government that has stepped up and called the climate emergency for what it is, and many of them are also taking concrete steps to shift to 100% renewable energy.

A climate emergency declaration is an important first step. It’s the beginning, not the end. To fight the climate crisis we have to acknowledge its scale and urgency, something our federal government refuses to do. The more people and local councils that do this, the stronger the mandate for change is for our coal-obsessed Federal government. 

But, the most crucial part of this declaration is for councils to ACT like we’re in an emergency. Many councils already have commendable and innovative sustainability practices, but the big piece here is committing to 100% renewable energy. Coal is the number 1 cause of climate damage, so if a council isn’t actively working to make this commitment to 100% RE then there’s still significant work to be done.

Wondering where your council stands? Here’s the most up-to-date list of Australian councils that have declared a climate emergency:

Adelaide Hills Council
Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
Ballarat City Council
Bass Coast Shire Council
Bega Valley Shire Council
Bellingen Shire Council
Blue Mountains City Council
Brimbank City Council
Burnside City Council
Byron Shire Council
Canada Bay City Council
Canterbury Bankstown City Council
Cardinia Shire Council
Central Coast Council
Clarence Valley Council
Darebin City Council
Darwin City Council
Denmark Shire Council
Fremantle City Council
Gawler Town Council
Hawkesbury City Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Hobart City Council
Indigo Shire Council
Inner West Council
Kingborough Council
Lane Cove Council
Launceston City Council
Light Regional Council
City ofLismore
Maribyrnong City Council
Melbourne City Council
Moreland City Council
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Newcastle City Council
Noosa Shire Council
North Sydney Council
Northern Beaches Council
Port Lincoln City Council
Port Phillip City Council
Randwick City Council
Ryde City Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Swan City Council
Sydney City Council
Tweed Shire Council
Upper Hunter Shire Council
Town of VictoriaPark
Vincent City Council
Wollongong City Council
Woollahra Municipal Council
Yarra City Council
Yarra Ranges Council

The total number of councils is 54, which represents a population of around 5.76 million people or 22.94% of the population. 

Is your council not on the list? Call on them to be next! Or if your council is already on board, sign the open letter calling for the federal government to declare a climate emergency.

Sign the open letter

Want to do even more? If you’re keen to be a part of it, the local Break Free group would love your help to continue the fight for 100% RE. Sign up here. 

The day before an election is a nail-biting time, and especially when this election is definitively the climate election. We’ve got a handy scorecard to help you suss out where the parties stand on some key climate and environment issues. 

Just in the past few days, we’ve seen some big indicators showing that climate is the (literally) hot topic of the election this year – and not a moment too late. Labor have announced that action on climate is an emergency, and we’ve seen the Australian Capital Territory actually declare a climate emergency.

But how do the parties really stack up? 

As you can see, the Coalition government have no plan to phase out coal, no targets for large scale solar or wind, very little in the way of action for the environment, and they’re still gunning for oil drilling in the Bight to go ahead.

Labor also lack a plan to phase out coal. They have a 50% renewable energy by 2030 target – but is it enough? Their plan for the environment lacks detail, and they have ruled out oil drilling in the Bight until an oil spill impacts study is completed, but no promise yet of permanent protection for the Bight.

The Greens have a 0% climate pollution target, 100% renewable energy target, and they’ll introduce strong nature laws with the funding to support it. They also have a comprehensive plan to ban oil drilling in the Bight.

Whichever way you vote, keep the climate in mind on Saturday.

New South Wales is home to Australia’s oldest fleet of coal power stations and has limited state government policies to encourage more wind and solar projects in the state beyond 2020. There is a serious risk that New South Wales will be caught short as coal power stations close or unexpectedly fail in extreme weather events.

The New South Wales public is very supportive of renewable energy, with 83% wanting the state to generate more of its electricity with renewable energy. Local government is also backing renewable energy, with more than twenty local councils supporting new solar farms in the state to help reduce their power bills.

Download the full report here. 

Report key findings:

New South Wales was once a world leader on climate action, but over the past five years it has become a laggard.

• New South Wales introduced the world’s first emissions trading scheme in 2003, which over 10 years reduced greenhouse gas pollution by an estimated 144 million tonnes. The scheme concluded in 2012.
• Over the past five years South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania have led the country on renewable energy progress, while New South Wales has consistently remained at the back of the pack.
• New South Wales used to have strong emissions reduction targets to reduce greenhouse gas pollution but these targets were dropped; the state planned to introduce a renewable energy target, but it was never implemented.

New South Wales is responsible for more greenhouse gas pollution than any other state or territory and continues to rely on heavily polluting coal and unreliable gas power stations.

• New South Wales has Australia’s oldest coal fleet and is home to five operating coal power stations; collectively they produced 82% of the state’s electricity in 2017.

• It is risky to rely on old coal power stations because they become increasingly unreliable with age.

• New South Wales has excellent wind and solar resources; however, they account for just 6% of the electricity generated in New South Wales.

Current climate policies in New South Wales are inadequate, although local councils are stepping up in the face of state government inaction.

• New South Wales does not have a comprehensive policy or target to encourage new renewable energy generation, nor does it have policies to enable the state to reach its net zero emissions target in 2050.

• In the past 12 months the state has taken some positive steps to encourage renewable energy and storage technologies, further action is required.

• There is massive potential in New South Wales for new jobs and investment in a renewable energy future.

• Local councils like Lismore, Newcastle and Musswellbrook are all leaders on climate action.

New South Wales is highly exposed to the impacts of climate change.

• Climate change, driven by the burning of coal, oil and gas, is already affecting New South Wales.

• Extreme heatwaves led to a 10% increase in both deaths and ambulance callouts in New South Wales between 2005 and 2015.

• Damages from extreme weather events cost New South Wales $3.6 billion per year and this figure is likely to rise as these events, driven by climate change, become more frequent and severe.

• The cheapest and fastest way for New South Wales to reduce its greenhouse gas pollution would be to progressively replace the state’s coal power stations with renewable energy like wind and solar, with storage.