Australia Approves Major Gas Project, Igniting Environmental Outrage

The Australian federal government has approved a significant operating licence extension for the North West Shelf gas project, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from environmental advocates. On March 15, 2024, the government authorized a 40-year extension for Woodside Energy’s controversial gas development in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, allowing operations to continue until 2070.

Murray Watt, the Environment Minister, announced that the project would be subject to 48 specific conditions designed to protect the world-heritage-listed Murujuga rock art located near the facility. He emphasized that these measures aim to ensure the project operates without causing “unacceptable impacts” to the ancient Indigenous carvings.

Despite these assurances, environmental groups have reacted with fury, labeling the approval a “carbon bomb.” The Australian Conservation Foundation has highlighted that emissions from the North West Shelf during its operational lifespan could exceed Australia’s total annual emissions by a staggering thirteen times. Gavan McFadzean, the group’s climate program manager, stated, “No matter where Australian gas is burned, it puts people and nature in harm’s way by fuelling more extreme weather.”

Criticism from Conservationists and Indigenous Leaders

The decision has been condemned as a “dangerous climate fail” by Matt Roberts, executive director of the Conservation Council WA. He warned that this approval represents a mistake with intergenerational consequences. Indigenous voices have also joined the chorus of dissent. Raelene Cooper, a traditional owner and Mardathoonera woman, characterized the decision as a “crime against Murujuga and a crime against humanity.” She expressed her dismay, saying, “It is a betrayal of Aboriginal people, it is a betrayal of our elders, it is a betrayal of future generations.”

Greenpeace WA spokesperson Geoff Bice criticized the Albanese government’s decision as succumbing to the pressures of the oil and gas industry, stating that it contradicts climate science and public sentiment. Meanwhile, Paul Gamblin, chief executive of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, described the approval as effectively condemning Australia to decades more of extensive carbon pollution.

The approval process for this extension began in May 2023, when preliminary approval was granted to Woodside. Since then, the company has been negotiating with government officials over the specific terms related to the processing hub. Minister Watt noted that the final conditions are more stringent than those initially proposed, requiring emissions reductions of up to 60 percent for certain gases.

Political Reactions and Future Implications

Independent Senator David Pocock called the approval a “betrayal of Australians,” emphasizing that it undermines the values and places cherished by the public. In the Pacific region, leaders have cautioned that committing to such a project could damage Australia’s credibility on climate issues and adversely affect its standing with neighboring nations.

In defense of the decision, Minister Watt asserted to reporters in Brisbane that the approval complies with international law, claiming that the Labor government has made substantial advancements in addressing climate change challenges. The federal opposition and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA welcomed the decision, as did Woodside Energy, which reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the Murujuga rock art. Executive Vice President Liz Westcott stated, “This final approval provides certainty for the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf Project.”

As the debate surrounding this major gas project continues, it remains to be seen how the implications of this decision will unfold in both the environmental and political arenas.