27 MAY, 2025 —With just weeks until Australia learns the fate of its bid to co-host COP31, Pacific leaders are calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recently re-elected government to reject Woodside Energy’s proposed extension of the North West Shelf gas project out to 2070.
The decision, expected this week, is a chance for the Australian government to show it is worthy of hosting the biggest international climate negotiations, to deepen trust with its voters and the neighbouring Pacific Island States calling for stronger climate action, to reset the country’s direction showing political will and true climate leadership, and chart a bold course away from fossil dependence and toward a future free from oil, gas, and coal.
The North West Shelf Extension proposal would allow one of Australia’s oldest LNG processing plants, located in the Murujuga cultural landscape and home to sacred Aboriginal rock art, to continue to operate until 2070. In terms of emissions, the project would generate more than 4 billion tonnes of CO2, equivalent to over 200 years of combined emissions for the 14 Pacific Small Island Developing States (Cook Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu).
Hon. Dr. Maina Talia, Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment, Tuvalu, said:
“Pacific leaders have made it clear: there is no future for our nations if fossil fuel expansion continues. The North West Shelf Extension would lock in emissions until 2070, threatening our survival and violating the spirit of the Pacific-Australia climate partnership. If Australia wants to host COP31 with us, it must uphold the trust we placed in it by permanently rejecting this project. This goes beyond politics. It is about the moral clarity to stand with those most affected by climate change.”
Pacific leaders have consistently called for a global just transition away from fossil fuels, including through spearheading the proposal for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, supporting the proposal for a Fossil Free Pacific and increased investments in the transition to be the world’s first 100% renewable energy-powered region. Civil society leaders across the Pacific have welcomed signs of deeper cooperation between Australia and island nations, from renewed engagement in the region to declarations on climate action, but warn that approving the North West Shelf Extension would undermine that trust.
Auimatagi Joe Moeono-Kolio, Chief Advisor, Pacific, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, says:
“Every new gas project is a step backwards. The Pacific is calling for a just and equitable fossil fuel phase-out, not fossil fuel lock-in until 2070. This is about matching rhetoric to action. Rejecting the North West Shelf extension would fulfil the Australian government’s promise to its Pacific neighbours that they are serious about regional cooperation and solidarity in this struggle. Approving it would signal the opposite. Prime Minister Albanese: the Pacific is watching. Will you stand with us, or with the polluters?”
This moment presents a historic opportunity for Australia to demonstrate that it is not only serious about hosting COP31, but also serious about tackling the root cause of climate change: fossil fuel extraction. Rejecting the North West Shelf Extension would send a clear message that Australia is ready to stand with the Pacific in leading the world toward a fossil-free future.
About the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is spurring international cooperation to end new development of fossil fuels, phase out existing production within the agreed climate limit of 1.5°C and develop plans to support workers, communities and countries dependent on fossil fuels to create secure and healthy livelihoods. For more information on the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and proposal, access here.
Contact details:
Michael Poland, Campaign Director
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Whatsapp: +61 419 581 748 (in Australia)
Rebecca Galvez, Strategic Communications Associate
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Whatsapp: +63 917 550 0819 (in Spain)