Albanese’s 2030 target sets Labor on collision course in resources-rich WA
It has been recently noted that WA was the only state in Australia with rising greenhouse gas emissions, up a total of 21 per cent since 2005.
The McGowan Labor government, in the resource-dominated, carbon-intensive west has been seen to outsource its climate change policy to the Federal Coalition.
Since these unfolding’s two major developments have unfolded.
Woodside announced its proceedings with the $16 billion Scarborough LNG project, which is the first mega-project in WA in a decade.
The other occurrence is the anticipated Anthony Albanese’s climate change policy.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke to business leaders saying “he did a bit of a jig” when he heard the news the Scarborough project was approved by Woodside’s board.
Chief executive of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, David Ritter, had a vastly different reaction, responding: “For so long as the company persists on this course, the corporate name of Woodside will become synonymous with the destruction of everything Australians hold dear.”
Clean Energy Regulator’s have reported emissions figures, claiming Scarborough would be approximately the sixth-largest emitter within WA, followed by Chevron’s Gorgon LNG and Woodside’s Northwest Shelf LNG.
WA’s current policy gives opportunity for domestic emissions to continue rising over the medium term, with net zero being a “considerable challenge given our energy-intensive industries and projected growth in the resources sector.”
Albanese’s policy plan has been generally welcomed by industries and outlines a more ambitious 43 per cent reduction target by 2030, which notably does not align with the WA trajectory.
From a WA resources view point the key aspect is the commitment in the Albanese policy to “protect the competitiveness of emissions intensive trade exposed industries,” which is a commitment that still requires much detail and explanation.
The gas industry has claimed it wants to consult with the Safeguard Mechanism and the promised carve outs for the industries.