The sheer scale of emissions from the expansion, and projects linked, to it will make achieving 2030 emission targets much harder for Western Australia and by extension, Australia and the world.
Pitched at an initial US$8.5 billion, the partnership has the potential to be one of the largest individual climate finance transactions to date. But can a just transition be achieved?
In Paris, the French drafted ambitious texts and dared the biggest emitters to oppose it. In Glasgow, it’s the least developed countries which will have to do the most work.
Heading into the final days of the Glasgow summit, the goal of limiting heating below 2°C looks attainable, and 1.5°C is still within reach. There is still room for hope.
It’s encouraging to see the Morrison government move past its claim electric vehicles would ‘end the weekend’. But the new plan is not the national electric vehicle strategy Australia deserves, and badly needs.
A global emissions-credit trading system could bring an end to the production of coal-fired electricity, spur innovation and help countries meet their greenhouse gas emissions goals.
Pacific nations look to New Zealand for climate leadership. It has enshrined carbon neutrality by 2050 and a 1.5°C target in law, but, so far, emissions have continued to rise.