Australia’s energy exports increase global greenhouse emissions, not decrease them

When unveiling government data revealing Australia’s rising greenhouse emissions, federal energy minister Angus Taylor sought to temper the news by pointing out that much of the increase is due to liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, and claiming that these exports help cut emissions elsewhere.

Australia’s LNG exports aren’t as good for the
planet as the government seems to think

LNG exports, Taylor argued, help to reduce global emissions by replacing the burning of coal overseas, which has a higher emissions factor than gas. In reality, Australian gas displaces a mix of energy sources, including gas from other exporters. Whether and to what extent Australian gas exports reduce emissions, therefore, remains unclear. Meanwhile, Australia’s coal exports clearly do increase global emissions.

The way Australia can help clean up world energy systems in the future is through large-scale production and export of renewable energy.

Read the story from The Conversation by Frank Jotzo and Salim Mazouz - “Australia’s energy exports increase global greenhouse emissions, not decrease them."

Angus Taylor's claim LNG exports reduce global emissions 'likely wrong' – climate expert

Claims by the energy and emissions reduction minister, Angus Taylor, that Australia’s liquefied natural gas exports are reducing global emissions are “grossly exaggerated”, one of Australia’s most renowned climate scientists has said.

Angus Taylor.

Bill Hare, who has worked in climate science for 30 years, including on UN negotiations, has questioned Taylor’s statement that Australia’s LNG exports cut global emissions by up to 148m tonnes because they replace higher-emission alternatives such as coal.

“Government claims that Australia’s LNG exports are reducing emissions globally are grossly exaggerated and, depending on the real level of methane leakages, reservoir CO2 venting and losses, and where the LNG is coming from in Australia, likely to be wrong,” Hare said.

Read the story from The Guardian by Lisa Cox - “Angus Taylor's claim LNG exports reduce global emissions 'likely wrong' – climate expert.”