- Australia’s approval of a 40-year extension for Woodside Energy’s gas project has drawn criticism ahead of its COP31 summit bid.
- Critics say the project’s 4.3 billion tons of emissions undermine Australia’s climate goals and betray vulnerable island nations.
Australia’s decision to grant a 40-year extension to the massive North West Shelf gas project has drawn fierce criticism from Pacific island nations and climate experts. It casts a long shadow over Australia’s ambitions to co-host the United Nations COP31 climate summit in 2026.
Earlier this week, the Federal Labour government approved the extension of Woodside Energy’s flagship liquefied natural gas (LNG) project until 2070, pending a final review. While the government framed the decision as part of a broader energy transition strategy, experts and regional leaders argue it severely undermines Australia’s environmental credibility.
Woodside and the energy sector welcomed the move, touting LNG as a cleaner interim fuel compared to coal. Meg O’Neill, the company’s Chief Executive, told reporters, “I think the penny is starting to drop with many around the importance of gas.”
However, Pacific leaders, particularly from Tuvalu and Vanuatu, expressed profound dismay. Tuvalu’s Climate Minister, Maina Talia, declared, “This goes beyond politics. It is about the moral clarity to stand with those most affected by climate change.” Talia had previously urged Australia to block the extension to secure Pacific support for hosting COP31.
Following the announcement, Vanuatu’s Climate Change Minister, Ralph Regenvanu, called the decision “a slap in the face” during an interview with ABC. The reaction signals growing frustration among Australia’s Pacific neighbours, whose nations are among the most vulnerable to climate-induced sea level rise.
Australia has committed to cutting its emissions by 42.7% below 2005 by 2030, with a net-zero target by 2050. However, critics argue that such targets ring hollow due to continued support for large-scale fossil fuel projects.
According to Woodside’s estimates, the North West Shelf extension could emit an additional 4.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, supported by 11 Pacific island nations, warned that this amount equates to 200 years of combined emissions from 14 Pacific nations.
Climate scientist Malte Meinshausen from the University of Melbourne was blunt in his assessment. “It’s just a staggering number of extra emissions,” he said. He also rejected the government’s justification that exported gas emissions fall outside Australia’s carbon ledger, likening it to a drug dealer claiming innocence because someone else consumes the product. “That doesn’t work anymore in a world where you want to be responsible for your actions,” he added.
The decision has also exposed political fault lines within the country. Labour came to power in 2022 on a platform promising climate reform. However, since then, it has shifted closer to the gas industry.
Previously, the party faced pressure from the Greens and environmental groups to block the project. However, since winning key seats from the Greens, Labour appears to have softened its stance, reflecting a broader pivot to support gas as a “transition fuel.”
Environment Minister Murray Watt, who announced the extension, declined to comment further, citing the ongoing review process.
The timing of the announcement could not be more delicate. Australia is seeking to co-host COP31 next year alongside Pacific nations, with support from the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum. While a final decision is imminent, the backlash over the gas extension risks alienating key regional allies.
Talia’s and Regenvanu’s remarks hint at a possible diplomatic rift that could weaken Australia’s bid. Despite Canberra’s efforts to position itself as a climate leader, its continued backing of significant fossil fuel projects risks making its ambitions appear hypocritical on the global stage.
As Australia charts its course towards a cleaner energy future, this decision underscores the tension between climate commitments and fossil fuel realities. While the government insists gas remains a vital bridge to renewables, growing domestic and international scrutiny suggests that bridge is becoming increasingly controversial.
Whether Australia can reconcile these contradictions and retain Pacific support for COP31 remains to be seen. For now, its green credentials and role on the global climate stage are under serious scrutiny.