Elders slam Aust gas project

Woodside Energy’s North West Shelf (NWS) gas project on the Burrup Peninsula, Western Australia. Photo: Renew Economy

The Pacific Elders’ Voice (PEV) has condemned the Australian Government’s decision to extend the Woodside North West Shelf gas project until 2070, calling it a direct threat to the survival of Pacific Island nations and a blow to trust in Australia’s leadership on climate action.

The project, part of the broader Burrup Hub expansion, has been labelled a “carbon bomb” by environmental groups.

Independent analysis by the Australia Institute states the emissions from this expansion would exceed the total annual emissions of all Australia’s coal power stations.

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative — backed by 11 Pacific Island nations and territories equates the emissions impact to 200 years of combined emissions from 14 Pacific Island countries.

PEV said the decision undermined regional efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C – a cornerstone of the Paris Agreement and disregards the ongoing climate devastation affecting both the Pacific and Australia.

“We echo Tuvalu’s Climate Minister, Dr Maina Talia’s comment that “Pacific leaders have made it clear: there is no future for our nations if fossil fuel expansion continues. The North West Shelf Extension would lock in emissions until 2070, threatening our survival and violating the spirit of the Pacific-tuakoi (neighbour) climate partnership.”