The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) said the state government’s announcement to extend the State Agreement for Griffin Coal until 2031 is keeping the dirtiest fossil fuel on life support at the expense of climate and nature.
CCWA Executive Director Matt Roberts said it was time the state government committed to clean energy solutions and legislated emissions reduction and renewable energy targets.
“We’ve been subsidising coal in this state to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars under a ‘business continuation agreement’ since 2022, when the company entered into receivership,” Mr Roberts said.
“This announcement of a five-year extension, made on one of the hottest days of the new year across Western Australia, is an example of our state government missing an opportunity for sustainable, long-term energy transition away from heavily polluting fossil fuels.
“WA is the only state without a 2030 emissions reduction target or a renewable energy target.
“What we need From the Premier is an announcement about a Climate Bill – with clear emissions reductions and legislated renewable energy targets to ensure we get the transition that West Australians have been asking for.
“These announcements would provide the long-term certainty that we all need in WA, and without these changes, we risk more rhetoric that doesn’t deliver on outcomes.
“Just last year, WA Premier Roger Cook said the government would not be funding Griffin beyond June 30, 2026. And yet here we are, at a time when our climate is literally on fire, pouring more money into the dirtiest of fossil fuels – with more announcements about new deadlines on coal and carefully structured statements about ‘state-owned’ coal fired power stations.
“Last year we saw unprecedented coral bleaching as marine heatwaves rolled down the North West coast, and this year we saw over 100 fires in one single week. Our forests are drying and dying, and threatened species are being pushed to the brink of extinction.
“Nature is in crisis from ongoing habitat destruction and climate impacts. Keeping coal on life support, approving new gas projects, and deferring emissions reduction to the Federal government does not show the level of commitment we need from our state government on nature and climate.
“This announcement delivers ongoing uncertainty that will continue to be leveraged by critics of the renewable transition.
“We have seen a commitment to a transition through the Collie Just Transition Plan. This includes the Collie Battery Project, a fantastic initiative and a great example of commitment to supporting workers impacted from the transition away from coal.
“Workers deserve a future that delivers secure jobs in new industries as we transition through the closure of Collie’s coal mines and power stations.
“What’s missing is a framework to support investment in renewables and to drive investment to build the energy capacity we need. to do that we need a Renewable Energy Target.
“And to do that without further devastating nature that is already under pressure, we need strategic bioregional planning for renewable infrastructure.”
ENDS
Media contact: John Cooke – 0433 679 780 – [email protected]