New revelations show Western Australia is putting Australia's climate targets at risk, as documents released under freedom of information laws reveal that the federal government has advice that WA gas 'risks slowing Asia's shift to clean energy'. Premier Roger Cook has the implicit support of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, but his policies are making it harder for federal Labor to meet its much-vaunted climate goals.
WA's Climate Stance Under Scrutiny
Western Australia boasts blazing sun, stunning beaches, and a potentially successful AFL team, but its government has resisted acting on the climate crisis in the same way as the east coast. Anthony Albanese and his cabinet have given implicit support to WA's position, as Premier Roger Cook backs fossil fuel expansions and argues that increased emissions are beneficial because gas exports reduce coal burning in Asia. However, FOI-released documents tell a different story: WA gas risks slowing Asia's shift to clean energy.
Rising Emissions in the Resource-Rich State
Annual pollution from WA rose 4% in the latest data, with emissions growing 17% since 2005, while every other state has reduced emissions, largely due to the gas export industry. Despite this, the WA government claims it is serious about addressing the problem. Two recent revelations challenge that claim.
Leaked Document Reveals Dropped Targets
The first revelation, reported by the ABC, indicates the Cook government plans to drop a long-promised legislated target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade. A leaked document shows the state intends to set targets starting in 2035 for renewable energy and carbon capture and storage—a technology not yet viable at scale—and a green exports target in 2040. The bill would keep the net zero by 2050 goal but without interim emissions targets, effectively avoiding constraints on the gas export industry.
Modelling Shows WA Far from Net Zero
The second revelation comes from a modelling report commissioned by Woodside, Australia's largest gas company. Deloitte Access Economics found WA could miss the net zero target by decades, even without the contentious $30bn Browse gas basin development. Hitting net zero would require renewable energy deployment 11 times faster than the past decade. The report emphasised economic benefits of developing Browse, ignoring the cost of extra emissions from burning gas overseas.
WA's Lack of Interim Targets
WA is the only Australian state without an interim target to reduce pollution before 2050. Other states have goals to cut climate pollution by roughly half or more by 2035. While not all will achieve them, the 2035 targets were based on scientific consensus that deep, rapid emissions cuts are needed. Waiting over 20 years is delay, not action.
Gas Remains a Fossil Fuel
Gas is mostly methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and releases carbon dioxide when burned. A US study found LNG exports can be dirtier than coal when counting extraction, piping, processing, and shipping emissions. The world needs some gas for existing energy systems, but a serious government should minimise its use and promote alternatives.
Federal Government Actions
The Albanese government recently rejected a national gas tax on multinational petroleum companies. Its offshore petroleum regulator approved a substantial expansion of Chevron's Gorgon project, following a 70-year life extension for the North West Shelf gas plant. A decision on the Browse development is expected before year's end. Experts say there is a strong legal case to block it on environmental grounds, given risks to protected species at Scott Reef. However, Australian governments have yet to deny fossil fuel companies what they want, particularly in WA, where Premier Cook wields apparent influence over Albanese decisions. The question remains whether the prime minister intends to act on WA's impact on federal climate targets.
