‘THIS PROJECT SHOULD NOT BE APPROVED’, reads the first line of the Climate Council’s submission to the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) on the Narrabri Gas Project.
The Climate Council has today added to the growing number of voices speaking out against the Santos Narrabri Gas Project.
“Allowing any new gas development is fundamentally at odds with protecting Australians from the impacts of climate change,” said Climate Councillor Professor Will Steffen, who gave evidence to the IPC about the proposed project.
“Santos has been attempting to downplay the impact of its Narrabri Gas Project on Australia’s emissions. Gas is a fossil fuel, like coal and oil. Burning gas emits large amounts of carbon dioxide, and depending on how the gas is mined and processed, it can also emit significant amounts of methane, a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide,” said Professor Steffen.
“The Narrabri Gas Project will increase the nation’s emissions, further exacerbating the kinds of climate impacts that Australia – and NSW in particular – has experienced with the Black Summer of devastating bushfires, drought, and heat,” said Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie.
A new report from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) shows we can rapidly transition to renewables with no new gas-fired generation.
“Australia does not need any new gas. Gas is expensive, polluting and a poor public investment,’ said Ms McKenzie.
“Our recently released Clean Jobs Plan shows we can create 15,000 jobs in renewable energy, while setting Australia up for the future and tackling climate change. Clean energy is a no brainer,” she said.
“The national energy market operator, experts from across the board, former fire chiefs, doctors, farmers, and the local community are all crying out for this project to not go ahead. The IPC must listen,” said Ms McKenzie.
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