The latest export figures released by the Office of the Chief Economist show that Australia continues to be the one of the world’s largest fossil fuel exporters. At nearly 200 mega tonnes, we are the second largest exporter of thermal coal after Indonesia, and at 81 mega tonnes we are the equal largest exporter of liquid natural gas (LNG).
No mention is made of the volume of GHG emissions that will be released by these fossil fuel exports, but UNSW Professor and climate justice expert Professor Jeremy Moss calculates that the emissions from Australia’s fossil fuel exports are double the amount of Australia’s domestic emissions and five times the amount of the projected annual emissions cuts under the government’s 43% reduction target.
Australia’s exported emissions are around 30% larger than Germany’s domestic emissions, which has three times our population and much more heavy industry.
UNSW Professor of Political Philosophy Professor Jeremy Moss says, “It is not credible in the eyes of the rest of the world, in the lead up to the November Climate Conference in Egypt, for Australia to claim to be reducing our greenhouse gas emissions while flooding the world with climate polluting fossil fuel.
“It’s like putting one foot on the accelerator while putting another foot on the brake—or, as Green’s leader Adam Bandt puts it, ‘pouring petrol on the fire while you’re trying to put it out’.
“Australia’s export of fossil fuels continues to undermine the world’s efforts to fix the climate problem.
“Australia ought to lead the way on climate by calling ‘last drinks’ on its coal export industry.
“The other stark reality is how little Australian taxpayers will see from this massive windfall from the sky-rocketing price of coal, as coal exporters have paid very little corporate tax on their earnings.
“It is unconscionable that the fossil fuel industry in Australia is getting away with massively adding to global carbon dioxide emissions without paying for the cost of the added greenhouse burden and impact.
“Extracting more coal oil and gas will just lead to a larger mostly unfunded clean-up bill as coal mines and gas fields inevitably will need to shut down.”
Related article: ARENA pledges $43M to help industry to reduce emissions
Jeremy Moss is professor of political philosophy at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. He is the author of several books on climate change including: Carbon Justice: the Scandal of Australia’s Biggest Contribution to Climate Change.
