❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses fugitive emissions from LNG operations, their projected impact, and government mitigation measures. The response confirms the link to LNG, refers to Commonwealth projections, and highlights the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy for Major Projects.
AnsweredQoN 2609Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Industry Innovation section of the Climate Change in Western Australia issues paper, specifically the statement that Western Australia’s fugitive emissions contribute 14 per cent to the State’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and I ask: (a) will the Minister confirm that the increase in fugitive emissions is due to an increase in liquified natural gas operations in the State; (b) what is the projected contribution fugitive emissions will make to the State’s total greenhouse gas emissions by: (i) 2025; (ii) 2030; (iii) 2040; and (iv) 2050; (c) what measures has the State Government undertaken to ensure fugitive emissions are accurately recorded; and (d) what measures will the State Government undertake to ensure fugitive emissions are adequately mitigated and will the Minister please table the evidence supporting these measures?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
29 November 2019
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
11 days
(a) Yes
(b) – (c) I remind the Honourable Member that meeting Australia’s international obligations to reduce emissions is a national issue. As such, the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy provides estimates of Australia’s future greenhouse gas emissions. The Commonwealth’s 2018 emissions projections estimate that Australia’s fugitive emissions will be stable between 2018 and 2020 and will increase from 55 to 62 million tonnes per annum between 2020 and 2030. The projections assume that increased fugitive emissions from Icthys (NT) and Prelude LNG (WA) will be offset by commencement of carbon capture and storage at the Gorgon LNG project.
The Australian Government does not provide emissions projections beyond 2030.
(d) On 26 August 2019, the Government released the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy for Major Projects. The Policy supports the development of Greenhouse Gas Management plans for major projects, including strategies to avoid, reduce, mitigate and offset the project’s direct (scope 1) emissions and contribute towards the State’s aspiration of net zero by 2050. It is the Government’s expectation that proposals with significant fugitive emissions will take steps to mitigate these emissions consistent with the objectives of the Policy.
(b) – (c) I remind the Honourable Member that meeting Australia’s international obligations to reduce emissions is a national issue. As such, the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy provides estimates of Australia’s future greenhouse gas emissions. The Commonwealth’s 2018 emissions projections estimate that Australia’s fugitive emissions will be stable between 2018 and 2020 and will increase from 55 to 62 million tonnes per annum between 2020 and 2030. The projections assume that increased fugitive emissions from Icthys (NT) and Prelude LNG (WA) will be offset by commencement of carbon capture and storage at the Gorgon LNG project.
The Australian Government does not provide emissions projections beyond 2030.
(d) On 26 August 2019, the Government released the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy for Major Projects. The Policy supports the development of Greenhouse Gas Management plans for major projects, including strategies to avoid, reduce, mitigate and offset the project’s direct (scope 1) emissions and contribute towards the State’s aspiration of net zero by 2050. It is the Government’s expectation that proposals with significant fugitive emissions will take steps to mitigate these emissions consistent with the objectives of the Policy.
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