FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER, 2025
THE CLIMATE COUNCIL warns the Albanese Government is putting Australians in harm’s way as it prepares to green light Woodside’s North West Shelf until 2070, the most polluting fossil fuel project in a decade.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said: “This project is a climate bomb that will unleash more than four billion tonnes of pollution, fuelling even more dangerous floods, fires and droughts for Australian communities. While families are already paying the price of climate disasters, the Albanese Government is giving Woodside a free pass to pollute for 45 years.
“If the Government wants its 2035 climate target to be taken seriously, it must stop approving coal and gas projects. Every new fossil fuel project unleashes more pollution here and abroad. The government can’t credibly claim to be doing everything possible to fight climate change while waving through more pollution."
Climate Councillor Greg Bourne said: “This project is so harmful it should be being shut down - not scaled up! Every child in Australia should be able to grow up with clean air, safe communities, and a healthy environment. But right now, their futures are being put at risk by a government waving through dozens of polluting coal, oil and gas projects like the North West Shelf.
“Australians voted for a renewable-powered future. The Albanese Government must stop new coal and gas approvals if it wants to keep communities safe.”
Climate Council analysis shows that since being first elected in 2022, the Albanese government has approved 31 coal, oil or gas projects, including its initial proposed approval of this gas exports project's extension in May 2025.
Collectively, these approvals have weakened the starting point for our 2035 emissions reduction target by up to two percentage points. The Albanese Government’s climate credibility will continue to be tested, with over 30 new and expanded coal mining projects currently awaiting EPBC referral or approval.
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