Overview

• On May 30, Environment Minister Murray Watt granted Woodside Energy a 40-year licence extension for its North West Shelf LNG processing facility, allowing operations until 2070.
• The Pilbara-based plant already contributes about 1.4% of Australia’s annual climate pollution and will produce over four billion tonnes of emissions under the extension, equivalent to a decade of national output.
• Pacific island climate ministers from Tuvalu and Vanuatu condemned the move as a threat to their survival, and Murujuga traditional owners warn it endangers more than one million ancient rock carvings.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the extension as necessary to provide gas for 'firming capacity' alongside renewables, despite 81% of output being destined for export markets.
• Opponents argue the decision undermines Australia’s net-zero-by-2050 target, clashes with the government’s Future Gas Strategy, and contradicts International Energy Agency advice to halt new fossil fuel projects.