Mining magnate Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest ridicules climate deniers

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest delivered a warning to Scott Morrison as he shot down a common argument used by climate deniers.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has ridiculed politicians who refuse to adopt renewable energy policies as he urged Scott Morrison to attend the Glasgow Climate Council.

The Fortescue Metals chief executive, who accumulated billions of dollars as an iron ore miner, said the evidence of climate change was undeniable.

He said Australia urgently needed to move away from its reliance on fossil fuels and rubbished claims from figures such as Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce and Senator Matt Canavan who routinely declare a transformation to clean energy would crumble the workforce.

“It’s a very clear message to everyone — you don’t have to choose between fossil fuel, which is a declining industry in anyone’s terms, or the green energy, green hydrogen, green ammonia sector,” Mr Forrest said on Monday morning.

Mr Forrest saysthose who deny climate change are robbing people of opportunities. Picture: William Debois

“Have both, but what you must not do is listen to anyone who says ‘you must just have fossil fuels (because) I’m fighting for your jobs’.

“That is not true.

“People who say that will be denuding Queensland of its economy and robbing you of your careers, your jobs and your future.

“The renewable energy sector, as you can see, is growing and growing rapidly.”

Mr Forrest said it was critical the Prime Minister attended the upcoming climate conference in Scotland and commit to a clean energy target otherwise Australia’s reputation towards climate change would continue to deteriorate.

If Mr Morrison refuses to attend, the billionaire warned Australia would be left behind and miss out on attracting critical investments.

“The head of our country, with a carbon neutral date which we can all be proud of, will be immensely welcomed in Glasgow by all other national leaders,” the mining magnate said.

Mr Forrest will build the world’s largest hydrogen equipment facility in Gladstone. Picture: William Debois

“Australia relies on investments and funding from all our own institutions and overseas, and as institutions begin to withdraw their funding from companies and countries which have no climate targets, then it’s going to impact the lifestyle of every single Australian.

“And if a politician pops up and says ‘that doesn’t matter’, then that’s really bad politics because the cost of paying off your mortgage, the cost of paying off the family business — that really matters.”

Through the clean energy wing of his empire, Fortescue Future Industries, Mr Forrest has invested vast resources into clean energy alternatives.

On Sunday, he committed to building the world’s largest hydrogen electrolyser plant in central Queensland, a product that uses electricity to break water into hydrogen and oxygen to generate power supply.

Then on Monday he appeared alongside fertiliser manufacturer Incitec Pivot to announce a feasibility study for another hydrogen project in Brisbane.

“Fortescue Metals Group is another heavy manufacturing company which is a major carbon polluter,” Mr Forrest admitted.

“Incitec Pivot and Fortescue are demonstrating to the industrial world that it’s your change in attitude which is holding your company and therefore holding your country back.

“If you change your attitude, if you understand that green energy is our future — that green products is our future then you can also have the benefits of this great sector which is the renewable sector.”