LNG proves its worth to global environment
Backed by CSIRO research, Angus Taylor has highlighted the contribution gas exports make to global emissions reductions.
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions for the March quarter fell by 0.4 per cent from the previous quarter but were up 0.6 per cent year on year because of a strong rise in exports of liquefied natural gas.
Releasing the figures yesterday, Environment Minister Angus Taylor highlighted the contribution gas exports were making to global emissions reductions.
The quarterly figures announcement included a special report on the role of natural gas in the transition to cleaner, more efficient energy systems.
It said research by the CSIRO found substituting gas for coal in electricity generation could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50 per cent. Using gas to back up renewables such as wind and solar cut emissions intensity of electricity generation compared with using only fossil fuels.
Mr Taylor said LNG exports for the year to March were estimated at $47.8 billion and had the potential to reduce global emissions by up to 152 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equal to 28 per cent of our annual emissions.
Higher exports of LNG increase Australia’s emissions because of the energy used to refrigerate and prepare it for export. Without that LNG increase, emissions for the year to March would have declined 0.3 per cent.
Gas industry group APPEA’s chief executive, Andrew McConville, said Australian gas exports were part of the global solution to climate change. “The global appetite for energy is growing, with more than 1.1 billion people still lacking access to electricity,” he said. “Substituting LNG for more emissions-intensive fuels (coal) allows importing countries to satisfy growing demand while reducing emissions.”
Environment groups said the annual increase in national emissions showed the government had no plan on climate action.