Australia backs gas beyond 2050 despite climate fears
Australia has declared its intention to increase the extraction and utilization of gas until “2050 and beyond,” despite global calls for the phasing out of fossil fuels.
The government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, asserts that this step is crucial to bolster domestic energy security while facilitating a transition to net zero emissions.
However, detractors argue that the decision disregards scientific recommendations, citing the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) call for significant reductions in the consumption of coal, oil, and gas to meet climate goals.
As one of the world’s leading exporters of liquefied natural gas, Australia has justified its policy by emphasizing its commitment to maintaining dependable trade relationships.
Presented on Thursday, the strategy delineates plans for collaboration with industry and state authorities to augment both gas production and exploration.
Furthermore, the government plans to continue supporting the expansion of existing gas projects, predominantly managed by Chevron and Woodside Energy Group in Western Australia.
These initiatives are deemed essential for meeting Australia’s energy demands as it progresses towards its objectives of achieving 82% renewable energy integration into the grid by 2030 and attaining net zero emissions by 2050.
Currently, gas constitutes 27% of Australia’s energy requirements and is also exported to nations like China, Japan, and South Korea. According to government data, gas contributes approximately a quarter of the country’s total emissions.
Nevertheless, the policy has incited strong opposition from environmental organizations and critics, who argue that it prioritizes the interests of influential fossil fuel corporations over the welfare of the populace.
Professor Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics and a prominent author of UN climate change reports, contends that fossil gas is not a transitional solution, emphasizing its significant role in exacerbating global warming and contributing to CO2 emissions escalation over the past decade.
Independent Senator David Pocock lashed it as “morally bankrupt, negligent and just plain stupid” in a statement on Thursday.
Successive Australian governments have touted gas as a key “bridging fuel”, arguing that turning it off too soon could have “significant adverse impacts” on Australia’s economy and energy needs.
But Prof Hare and other scientists have warned that building a net zero policy around gas will “contribute to locking in 2.7-3C global warming, which will have catastrophic consequences”.
In 2015, world leaders promised to try to limit long-term temperature rises to 1.5C, which is seen as crucial to avoiding the most damaging impacts of climate change.
That limit was recently exceeded for the first time – from February 2023 to January 2024, according to the EU’s climate service.