Woodside’s North West Shelf Gas Project Gets Green Light to 2070: ‘Carbon Bomb’ Set to Explode Amid Fears of Climate Catastrophe
- Environment Minister Murray Watt approves North West Shelf extension despite international warnings of climate catastrophe
- Project set to operate until 2070, sparking outrage from climate activists and Indigenous groups
- Woodside says project supports “thousands of direct and indirect jobs” but critics call it a “carbon bomb”
- Vanuatu’s climate minister warns Australia could be in breach of international climate change obligations
In a shocking move, Environment Minister Murray Watt has given the final approval for Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project to extend operations until 2070. The decision has sparked widespread outrage from climate activists and Indigenous groups, who claim the project will be a “carbon bomb” that will accelerate climate catastrophe.
The North West Shelf project, located in northern Western Australia, has been a contentious issue for years. Traditional custodian Raelene Cooper had brought court action against the project, citing concerns over the impact on ancient Indigenous rock art and the environment. However, the minister’s approval has paved the way for the project to proceed, despite 48 additional conditions being placed on the project to protect nearby heritage sites.
Woodside claims the project supports “thousands of direct and indirect jobs” and will provide energy security for the transition to renewables. However, critics argue that the project will be a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and will undermine Australia’s climate change obligations.
In a stark warning, Vanuatu’s climate minister has told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the project could violate Australia’s international climate change obligations. The warning comes as the Albanese government prepares to reveal its 2035 emissions reduction target.
Elaine Johnson, Ms Cooper’s lawyer, has called on the federal government to obtain further analysis of the likely social and economic costs of climate change damages related to the North West Shelf project. “Failure to address these matters in a genuine, realistic, and considered way… may result in a breach of your statutory duty,” she wrote.
The decision has also sparked a heated debate over Australia’s energy policy, with the Federal Greens calling the facilities a “carbon bomb”. The prime minister has defended the approval, saying it will ensure energy security for the transition to renewables.
As the climate crisis deepens, the North West Shelf project has become a lightning rod for controversy. With the project set to operate until 2070, the clock is ticking for Australia to take decisive action on climate change. Will the government’s decision prove to be a recipe for disaster, or can they find a way to balance economic and environmental concerns?