APPEA joins push for net zero by 2050

Australia must commit to a net zero emissions target to stay in step with a global shift on climate change, the group representing the nation’s biggest oil and gas producers says.

Woodside's Goodwyn A offshore gas production facility in the North West Shelf gas project off the coast of WA.

The Morrison government must commit to a net zero emissions target by 2050 to ensure the nation remains in step with a global shift on climate change, oil and gas industry group APPEA said.

Scott Morrison has yet to explicitly commit Australia to a net zero target by a specific date, saying it is achievable by tapping into new technologies such as carbon capture and storage and hydrogen as laid out in the government’s road map.

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, which represents Australia’s biggest oil and LNG producers, has updated its climate change policy principles with net zero at the top of the list, reflecting widespread support from big business for government to officially embrace the emissions goal.

“Policies should achieve emissions reductions consistent to achieve net zero emissions across the Australian economy by 2050 as part of a contribution to a goal of global net zero emissions by 2050,” APPEA said in its policy statement.

“The Australian government has the responsibility to set interim targets and for the policy framework that meets them.”

The role that gas will play in a shift to net zero remains highly contested. Australia’s position as the world’s biggest LNG exporter means it contributes significant emissions to the national tally. The government’s nomination of gas as the key transition fuel for Australia’s economic recovery appears to be at odds with the emissions goals needed to meet international climate change commitments.

From an export perspective, LNG producers and APPEA argue the export of Australian gas helps displace more polluting coal among Asian nations even as its critics say both fossil forms need to be phased out and replaced by renewables.

“This sector is fully committed to reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions and is rapidly advancing low emissions technologies such as carbon capture and storage and hydrogen. Both these technologies have been prioritised in the Australian government’s Technology Investment Roadmap,” APPEA chief executive Andrew McConville said. “Australia’s oil and gas sector is working hard to reduce, offset and mitigate emissions in its operations.”

The Morrison government says Australia is on track is to reduce emissions across the economy by 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 but many states are proposing more ambitious targets to reflect a greater commitment to climate action with the West Australian Liberal opposition calling for net zero by 2030.

Anthony Albanese will also enshrine a target of net-zero emissions by 2050 in legislation if Labor wins the election.