Leaked report undermines WA Government’s claim that LNG exports help Asia’s clean energy transition

The report, by Deloitte, was handed to the government in January – but not released.

The report states “… there are substantial risks that natural gas could crowd out investments in renewable technology or delay the broader adoption of renewable energy technologies.”

This undermines the WA Government’s claims that LNG exports are aiding Asia’s clean energy transition.

Dr Richard Denniss, co-chief executive of the Australia Institute, said it was “no surprise the report was kept secret.”

“It cost taxpayers $400,000 and did not support the Government’s claims,” Dr Denniss said.

The revelations come two months after Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt granted final approval for Woodside to extend the life of its North West Shelf gas project until 2070.

Research shows the North West Shelf extension will result in more than four billion tonnes of emissions, wiping out any emissions cuts by Australian governments many times over.

The report also follows the leaking of a CSIRO report commissioned by Woodside which undermined similar claims, and a report by the US Department of Energy that found emissions from LNG could be greater than coal emissions in customer countries.

“The government for a long time now has been trying to make the ludicrous argument that if you extract and export more gas, which is a fossil fuel, it will be good for the climate and reduce emissions,” Dr Denniss said.

“That’s not true,  because climate change is caused by fossil fuels and gas is one of the main fossil fuels.”