Pages tagged "Climate Publications"
WA can't wait: build a decommissioning hub for our environment, jobs, and a green energy future
The equivalent of 110 Sydney Harbour bridges in steel. Rusting at sea.
This isn’t just a clean-up, it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a world-leading industry. Australia must decommission and recycle 5.7 million tonnes of oil and gas infrastructure and Western Australia is ground zero, with 89% sitting off its coast.
By establishing a large-scale decommissioning hub in WA, we can:
- Create thousands of secure jobs
- Protect oceans and communities
- Recover valuable materials for a circular economy
- Lead the transition to a clean energy future
Australia can’t wait. WA must lead the way. Build a large-scale decommissioning hub for our environment, for jobs, and for a green energy future.
States of transition - renewable energy progress across Australian jurisdictions
In the May 2025 federal election, voters overwhelmingly supported action on climate change through continuing the national journey on renewable energy. State and territory governments should heed that message and redouble efforts. We the undersigned nature conservation councils of Australia have commissioned this study as part of our broader recognition that there can be no future for nature without action on climate change. A changing climate is the biggest threat to the survival of species and habitats. Acting on climate change means getting off fossil fuels and powering our homes and businesses with renewable energy. Already, 43% of Australia’s energy needs are powered from solar, wind, hydro and batteries. Yet, there is still much more to be done.
Forging Our Future
Conservation Council of WA has been part of a coalition of unions, environment and industry to consider the emissions reduction opportunities in steel production by commissioning research to look at the potential of renewables and hydrogen for manufacturing steel.
Western Australia is a major exporter of both gas and iron ore to steel producing countries like Japan and South Korea. This report considers the emissions savings if we were to produce all of Australia's steel demand using renewables and hydrogen, and considers the emissions savings if were to also supply Japan and South Koreas steel demand, and then opportunities for supplying some of China's steel demand.
This plan does not come without environmental costs - but considers the framework needed to find that balance between decarbonising heavy industry and environmental protection, First Nations rights and benefit sharing.
