In response to news the Greens would make ‘no new coal and gas’ a key demand in the event of minority government negotiations, the Australian Conservation Foundation’s CEO Kelly O’Shanassy said:
“Approving new coal and gas projects is the opposite of climate action, so we commend the Greens for identifying a halt to new climate-wrecking fossil fuel mines as a negotiating priority.
“In an era of escalating climate change, when global scientists and the International Energy Agency have called for no new fossil fuel projects, it is grossly irresponsible to keep approving new coal and gas mines.
“It was shocking to witness the offshore regulator’s approval last week of Santos’ Barossa gas project, which will spew out more than 270 million tonnes of climate pollution over its lifetime.
“No matter where it’s burned, Santos’ gas will turbocharge heatwaves, bushfires and other extreme weather here in Australia.
“We call on the next federal government to comprehensively assess the climate and nature impacts of Santos’ Barossa gas project.
“The next parliament must champion a safe climate – starting with a determination to end the approval of new coal and gas projects.
“While the safeguard mechanism, which regulates the emissions of Australia’s most polluting facilities, was improved by the 2023 reforms, it needs to be tightened to make it more effective.
“The 2023-24 safeguard data shows 142 of the facilities covered by the mechanism exceeded their emissions baselines and relied on carbon credits.
“The system should not allow coal and gas companies to buy off their climate responsibilities.
“ACF urges the Climate Minister to apply zero emissions baselines to all coal and gas facilities, for consistency and to accelerate emissions reductions.”
In 2024, Australia was responsible for 4.5% of global emissions through domestic (1%) and exported (3.5%) emissions.
From 2024 to 2035, Australian fossil fuel exports are projected to emit another 15 billion tonnes of climate pollution.
Australia’s electricity sector emissions are projected to fall by 60% between 2024 and 2030, because of the growth of renewables, resulting in 92 million fewer tonnes of CO2-e emissions.
In that same period (2024-2030) Australia’s fossil fuel exports are expected to emit around 10.5 billion tonnes of climate pollution.