❓ Hon Tim Clifford questions the Minister for Environment regarding the focus of the 'Climate Change in Western Australia' issues paper, community consultation, and the impact of LNG production on emissions reduction efforts. The Minister responds by outlining government policies and processes.
AnsweredQoN 1251Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY —
LNG INDUSTRY — EMISSIONS
1251. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the issues paper titled ''Climate
Change in Western Australia''.
(1) Does the
minister concede that the paper focuses more on what the individual and the Western
Australian community can do, rather than
addressing the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in WA—that i s,
the liquefied natural gas industry?
(2) Is the issues
paper the only community consultation that the state government will do for its
climate change policy?
(3) Will the
fast-tracking of the North West Gas Development (Woodside) Agreement Amendment
Bill 2019 and the subsequent increase of LNG production negate the
effectiveness of the government's future climate policy to reduce
emissions?
LNG INDUSTRY — EMISSIONS
1251. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the issues paper titled ''Climate
Change in Western Australia''.
(1) Does the
minister concede that the paper focuses more on what the individual and the Western
Australian community can do, rather than
addressing the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in WA—that i s,
the liquefied natural gas industry?
(2) Is the issues
paper the only community consultation that the state government will do for its
climate change policy?
(3) Will the
fast-tracking of the North West Gas Development (Woodside) Agreement Amendment
Bill 2019 and the subsequent increase of LNG production negate the
effectiveness of the government's future climate policy to reduce
emissions?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) The
climate change issues paper notes the significant contribution that
emission-intensive extractive industries make to Western Australia's
overall greenhouse gas emissions. It points to opportunities for reduction of
emissions associated with liquefied natural gas production, including improved
leak detection and remediation, changes to
venting and flaring practices, and greater adoption of industrial-scale renewables.
On 26 August 2019, the McGowan
government released its greenhouse gas emissions policy for major projects. The policy commits the government to
working with all sectors of the economy towards achieving net zero
emissions by 2050 and sets out the broad approach that will be taken into
consideration for new proposals and
expansions with significant greenhouse gas emissions. The policy will support
the preparation of greenhouse gas emissions plans that outline a contribution
to the state's net zero aspiration. The climate change issues paper is open for community and stakeholder comment until
29 November. The government will consider further consultation
opportunities after this time and as appropriate.
(3) The North West Gas Development (Woodside)
Agreement Amendment Bill 2019 is not being fast-tracked . Every project
proposing to use the facility, as well as the NWS plant, will be required to
have its own environmental approvals in place prior to being able to access the
facility, including consideration of emissions.
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) The
climate change issues paper notes the significant contribution that
emission-intensive extractive industries make to Western Australia's
overall greenhouse gas emissions. It points to opportunities for reduction of
emissions associated with liquefied natural gas production, including improved
leak detection and remediation, changes to
venting and flaring practices, and greater adoption of industrial-scale renewables.
On 26 August 2019, the McGowan
government released its greenhouse gas emissions policy for major projects. The policy commits the government to
working with all sectors of the economy towards achieving net zero
emissions by 2050 and sets out the broad approach that will be taken into
consideration for new proposals and
expansions with significant greenhouse gas emissions. The policy will support
the preparation of greenhouse gas emissions plans that outline a contribution
to the state's net zero aspiration. The climate change issues paper is open for community and stakeholder comment until
29 November. The government will consider further consultation
opportunities after this time and as appropriate.
(3) The North West Gas Development (Woodside)
Agreement Amendment Bill 2019 is not being fast-tracked . Every project
proposing to use the facility, as well as the NWS plant, will be required to
have its own environmental approvals in place prior to being able to access the
facility, including consideration of emissions.
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