Australian coal, oil and gas companies are making climate change worse

Australia is the world’s third largest fossil fuel exporter, after only Russia and the US. Though often ignored in political discussions, these exports make up a whopping 80% of Australia’s global pollution. And who is responsible for all of those greenhouse gas emissions? A handful of Australian oil and gas companies.

What impact do Australian oil and gas companies have on greenhouse gas emissions?

Australia is a signatory to the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change. In other words, we have committed to doing our bit to limit the increase in global average temperatures. As part of this commitment, Australia must report regularly on its emissions and how it’s tracking towards reducing them.  But critically, Australia is not required to include the emissions from its fossil fuel exports in these figures. That pollution is attributed to the country where the fossil fuels are burned. 

In reality, it’s just another way for Australian oil and gas companies to dodge responsibility for the pollution they create. Because while progress is being made to reduce domestic emissions, the federal government continues to support the expansion of the fossil fuel export industry.

It doesn’t matter where the fossil fuels are burned. Whether it’s here or in another country, these fossil fuels produce greenhouse gasses that are warming our planet and causing more frequent and severe disasters around the world. Climate change knows no borders.

Despite what Australian oil and gas companies want you to think, climate change is not an individual problem

There are worthwhile actions we can all take to tackle climate change. But have you ever tried to calculate your own carbon footprint, only to feel guilty and confused about how you alone will solve this crisis? You have a fossil fuel company to thank for that sentiment, too. In the early 2000s, it was none other than British Petroleum that came up with the idea to shift the blame for climate change onto the individual with its ubiquitous carbon footprint PR campaign. This is a common tactic from the fossil fuel industry, which has been running ads to deny, seed doubt about, and shirk responsibility for climate change since the 1980s.

To put it in perspective, Woodside’s Burrup Hub project alone would emit over 73 times the annual emissions of all of New Zealand (and most of the gas Woodside extracts will be exported). In other words, it’s not you, babe – it’s them.

We all pay the price (unless you’re an oil and gas company)

Pacific Island nations account for only 0.03% of global pollution but are getting hit harder every year by cyclones, hurricanes, floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures – all made worse by climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels. Category 4 and 5 cyclones have doubled in the West Pacific since the 1970’s. The rise of sea levels in the Pacific is already threatening to destroy homes, communities, and culture.

People in Australia are feeling the impacts of climate change, too. Catastrophic bushfires, floods, and devastating storms are now annual events. On top of the unquantifiable personal and community cost of losing a loved one, a home, or a sacred place, there is an enormous economic cost for repair.  New data from the Insurance Council of Australia shows that the impact of extreme weather on the Australian economy has more than tripled over the last 30 years.

But while everyday people, governments, and insurers bear the cost, Australian oil and gas companies continue to make massive profits from exporting fossil fuels, while paying almost zero tax. Chevron Australia made $12.5 billion in 2020-2021 while paying $30 dollars in company tax. Poor old Woodside made a measly $6.7 billion in this period while paying $0 in company tax. Does that seem fair to you?

What can the Australian Government do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

So what is the Australian Government doing to push oil, gas and coal companies to cut their emissions? Nowhere near enough. They’re still approving new coal and gas projects. And while talking a big game about reducing emissions at home, the government has given no indication its planning to do the obvious: wind back fossil fuel exports and ramp up clean energy exports instead. This isn’t climate action, it’s pouring fuel on the fire.

The good news is we know what to do, and we have the people power to make it happen. We must continue pressuring the Australian Government to commit to a fair, fast and funded fossil fuel phase out. (Hint hint, that means stop approving new coal projects and reject Woodside’s gas expansion plans!) And we need to put the onus back on the polluters to pay for the damage they’ve caused and clean up their mess.

Get started by signing our petition demanding the Australian Government stop new coal, oil and gas projects now.