Climate research scientist, Joelle Gergis, has joined other scientists, academics, think tanks and economists in condemning federal Labor’s Future Gas Strategy, which was released last week.
The Business Council of Australia has welcomed the government’s strategy, which places gas as an important energy fuel ‘through to 2050 and beyond’.
Yet critics say that Labor, like the coalition, are captured by the fossil fuel sector, which is mainly foreign-owned, pays little to no tax, and enjoys generous government handouts.
In the same week, the European Union’s climate change monitoring service, Copernicus, reported that April was the hottest April on record globally, extending an 11-month streak where every month had set a temperature record.
The Guardian reported on May 8, ‘Many of the scientists envisage a “semi-dystopian” future, with famines, conflicts and mass migration, driven by heatwaves, wildfires, floods and storms of an intensity and frequency far beyond those that have already struck’.
Local federal Labor MP, Justine Elliot, was asked, ‘Are you concerned that Labor, like the coalition, is captured by large fossil fuel corporations, given the climate science advice is at odds with the Future Gas Strategy?’
No reservation policy
‘And, are you concerned that a Domestic Gas Reservation Policy wasn’t included in this strategy, given it would ensure cheaper prices for residents?’
She instead replied, ‘After ten years of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals, the Albanese government is now investing billions to roll out the renewable energy projects that are creating a clean energy future. Until renewables are at sufficient scale, we will need a mix of reliable and affordable energy sources to power our homes and our industries’.
‘We have released our gas strategy to establish the role gas will play in the transition to net zero by 2050, securing affordable gas for Australia as we move to a more renewable grid.
‘To meet our climate targets, we need more renewables – and for the moment we need gas to get us there. The emissions from gas are being managed and reduced, primarily through the Safeguard Mechanism.
‘The Future Gas Strategy does not invest in gas supply or projects. Overwhelmingly, our focus is on adding new renewable energy to the grid. Gas is playing a role as our economy transitions, but the sooner Australia gets to 100 per cent renewable energy, the better’.
Mrs Elliot added in contrast the Liberals and Nationals ‘don’t believe in climate change’, and ‘their only solution now is to build nuclear reactors all over the country’.
Betrayal of future generations
Ms Gergis told The Echo Labor’s policy was a ‘betrayal of future generations’.
Ms Gergis said, ‘Labor’s gas policy is completely inconsistent with what the science says we need to do to stabilise the Earth’s climate. Methane is a very powerful greenhouse gas, that will lock in dangerous levels of global warming for decades to come’.
Carbon capture?
‘We cannot rely on non-existent carbon capture and storage and short-term carbon offset projects to soak up emissions from the continued burning of fossil fuels. We need to stop making the very serious problems we are already facing even worse.
‘Continuing to invest in fossil fuels diverts investment away from renewable energy technology, which is now the cheapest and cleanest form of energy.
‘This policy is a regressive, cowardly move from Labor that tells voters they are not serious about addressing climate change at the pace and scale required by the science. Expanding fossil production during a climate emergency is unforgivable betrayal of future generations.
Ms Gergis’s Quarterly Essay, titled ‘Highway to hell: Climate Change and Australia’s Future’, will be released on June 3.
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