Western Australia’s Premier, Roger Cook, has indicated that the state’s greenhouse gas emissions may increase due to its significant role in the global decarbonization effort. This announcement follows the ABC’s report revealing that the state government has decided to forgo plans for interim emissions reduction targets.
Instead of implementing these interim targets, the government will focus on legislating goals related to renewable energy generation, carbon capture and storage, and green exports. WA’s decision to abandon interim emissions targets comes amidst its obligations under federal laws to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, while many states and territories have also set their own interim goals to lower emissions before this deadline.
Initially, Western Australia was poised to introduce interim emissions targets with the Climate Change Bill in 2023, but the proposal failed to advance. This has led to the introduction of the Green Energy Powerhouse Bill, which will eliminate interim reduction targets in favor of a broader range of decarbonization objectives, as indicated in internal documents reviewed by the ABC.
Premier Cook emphasized the state’s “unique role” in mitigating global emissions, stating, “The globe’s the winner, but it may mean that Western Australia’s emissions increase relative to the rest of Australia, due to our essential contribution to the global decarbonization efforts.” He explained that while WA’s gas production and critical minerals exportation may lead to short-term emissions growth, these activities are intended to facilitate the adoption of renewable technologies in other countries, ultimately aiding in reducing global carbon emissions.
When questioned about the anticipated rise in WA’s emissions, Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson reaffirmed the state’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, although she acknowledged that WA’s pathway to this target would differ from that of other states. “We are constantly collaborating with industry to reduce emissions, but as the Premier mentioned, we have a global responsibility to lower emissions throughout the supply chain, which is our primary focus,” she stated.
Sanderson further clarified that WA’s emissions reduction trajectory would not align with states like Tasmania or New South Wales, asserting, “It will be unique to Western Australia and will support our industries in decarbonizing while transitioning away from coal and integrating renewable energy sources.”
According to the federal climate change and energy department, Western Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions have increased since 2005, largely driven by the expansion of the mining and export sectors. Sophie McNeill, a member of the WA Greens, criticized the state government’s approach towards interim emissions targets, suggesting it reflects the mining industry’s influence in the region. “While other states have already implemented these measures, the Cook Labor government appears to believe they are exempt from addressing the crucial issue of emissions reduction, prioritizing profits over a secure climate for future generations,” she remarked.
Globally, reducing emissions is recognized as a critical component of combating climate change. Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen defended Western Australia’s approach, highlighting that the state has made significant progress in renewable energy compared to the east coast, stating, “They are making good strides, and each state has its unique strategy.”
However, Matt Roberts, executive director of the Conservation Council of WA, expressed concern over the government’s focus on carbon capture targets, labeling it a troubling sign of over-reliance on a technology that has yet to meet its emissions storage goals. He argued that this technology should only be utilized for existing hard-to-abate emissions rather than facilitating new emissions.
In contrast, WA Liberal energy spokesperson Steve Thomas supported the need for carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the gas sector, asserting that it is essential for advancing numerous major projects in the coming decades. He also criticized a state-specific approach to emissions targets, suggesting that a cohesive national framework for emissions monitoring and reductions would be more effective.
