Transport emissions on the rise as Labor misses the point on coal mines

Transport emissions rose by more than 12 per cent in the final months of 2021 as lockdowns lifted, according to a new report which called for emissions cuts by replacing fossil fuel energy with renewables, and electrifying households, industry and transport as fast as possible.

Labor is continuing its pro-coal stance, with MPs in the NSW Hunter Valley pledging Australian coal mines will be exempt from having to buy carbon credits or reduce emissions under the party’s climate policy. 

And the CEO of fossil fuel company Woodside has called for the revival of stalled toxic gas projects, just days after Prime Minister Scott Morrison handed the company a $40 million license to pollute. 

Transport emissions rose 12 per cent in three months in Australia

Transport emissions rose more than 12 per cent in the last three months of 2021 as lockdown restrictions eased, while Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased as renewable electricity generation continued to grow.

Coal mines to be spared from emission reduction rules, says Labor

Labor MPs defending their seats in NSW’s Hunter Valley say every coal mine in Australia will be exempt from having to buy carbon credits or reduce emissions under the party’s climate change policy, because their international competitors face no similar requirements.

Woodside’s Meg O’Neill seeks revival of stalled mega gas projects

Woodside Petroleum chief executive Meg O’Neill has called for “serious consideration” to be given to kick-starting stalled gas mega-projects, such as Sunrise in the Timor Sea and at Browse off the coast of Western Australia, as the world turns its back on Russian energy.

Consumers would enjoy lower electricity costs with a faster exit from coal

Western Australia electricity consumers would enjoy lower electricity costs – around $4/MWh (or 0.4c/kWh) less – with an 85 per cent renewable electricity grid in 2030 than they are paying now for coal and gas fuelled electricity.