The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) has called out a decision by the WA Liberal Party to abandon a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, labelling it a “backward step in tackling climate change and protecting nature”.
CCWA Executive Director Matt Roberts said it was tremendously disappointing to see the WA Liberals drop the net-zero policy during a closed-doors meeting at a hotel in the federal electorate of Canning.
“This motion was passed with an overwhelming show of support without needing to go to a ballot, which shows a total reluctance to embrace both the WA and wider Australian public appetite for action on climate change and preserving our natural heritage,” Mr Roberts said.
'The WA Liberals risk continued electoral irrelevance unless they start listening to the Australian people when it comes to action on climate change.
“Canning Federal MP Andrew Hastie said this decision was about sending a ‘clear signal’ to Australians – to provide energy security and remain ‘competitive as a nation’, but the only clear signal it sends is one of uncertainty for industry – undermining the existing transition process and pushing our energy security further behind schedule.
“This approach would further white-ant Australia’s competitive edge in the renewable energy market, with WA already lagging behind most other states when it comes to clean energy transition.
“On a local level, projects like Woodside’s proposed North West Shelf extension until 2070 will push out a further 1.6 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, causing irreversible damage to our climate and environment.
“In addition, we’re now seeing gas escaping from underneath Barrow Island during Chevon’s disastrous decommissioning works, and from 13 places around Santos’ ageing Varanus Island facilities.
“Carbon offsets, or the use of failed carbon capture and storage technology do nothing to address the destructive nature that the oil and gas industry is having on our precious lands and marine areas.
“We cannot allow this ongoing failure on climate action to become a legacy for our children, grandchildren, and future generations to come. Our future is at grave risk if we don’t address the catastrophic impacts of climate change on our economy, society, and environmental wellbeing.”
Mr Roberts said the current argument that over time, growth in Australia’s ‘green exports’ would offset emissions from our fossil fuel exports, representing a positive contribution to global decarbonisation efforts, was “a false economy”.
“While a greater focus on the negative impacts of Australia’s exports emissions - which total almost three times our domestic emissions - is welcome, the idea is flawed; it’s like eating a burger, then saying you’ll cancel it out by having a salad.
“The current definition of ‘net-zero export emissions’ is built on a series of flawed premises about climate science and policy, and risks creating a dangerous excuse for government inaction on export emissions.
“If we want to seize the opportunities of the 21st Century and demonstrate real global leadership, Australia will need to get serious about just and orderly transitions away from emissions and materials-intensive industries, towards a more diverse and sustainable economy which enables a liveable future for us all.”