Passing Gas: Why Renewables are the Future

03.12.20 By , and
This content is more than 3 years old

The Climate Council’s new report has revealed the extent to which gas is driving climate change – and it is likely to be worse than the official figures suggest.

Extracting and burning more gas puts Australians in harm’s way. We are already in the grip of a climate crisis having endured the Black Summer bushfires, devastating drought and the third mass bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef in five years. The only way to keep us safe is to transition to renewables as quickly as possible.

The report ‘Passing Gas: Why Renewables are the Future’ explores the Government’s pledge to the gas industry and uncovers some unsavoury truths: that emissions from gas are under-reported, that the second biggest user of gas in Australia is the gas industry itself, that the international gas market is in crisis and Australia is dangerously exposed to job losses and price volatility.

The Government, in shirking renewables and backing gas, is digging up our past to spite our future.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE

Gas report, 'Passing Gas: Why Renewables are the Future', front cover depicting twin gas towers

Key findings

1. Australia’s in the grip of a climate crisis. Extracting and burning more gas escalates risk and puts more Australians in harm’s way.

2. Gas causes climate harm and its emissions are under- reported in Australia.

Passing Gas: Why Renewables are the Future


Proportion of gas consumed in Australia by sector (2018-19 financial year). Data source: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (2020a).

3. The international gas market is in crisis, and Australia is dangerously exposed to job losses and power price volatility.

4. The second biggest user of gas in Australia is the gas industry itself, and that is costing all Australians.

5. We do not need new gas when renewables are cheaper and cleaner.

“We are already in the grip of a climate crisis having endured the Black Summer bushfires, devastating drought and the third mass bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef in five years, and extracting and burning more gas only puts Australians in harm’s way.”  – Amanda McKenzie, Climate Council CEO

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE


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