Greenpeace Australia Pacific has welcomed the Western Australian Government’s Budget investment in coal transition, renewable energy and transmission upgrades, but warned the Government must not let the gas industry undermine progress.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Head of Clean Energy Transition Jess Panegyres said that this commitment, which includes transitioning out of coal-fired power in Collie, new large-scale batteries and $126 million for network upgrades, could mark a historic turning point in Western Australia’s energy transition.
“Greenpeace welcomes Mark McGowan’s $3 billion commitment to climate action in today’s budget, which signals a bright new direction for WA that will enable our state to capitalise on the clean energy boom, creating good, clean jobs along the way,” she said.
“As the Premier and Treasurer have noted, WA has the opportunity to become a global green energy leader. We have an exciting clean energy future ahead of our state.
“But Labor’s investments in climate action are being undermined by the gas industry, which is rapidly expanding export production, driving up greenhouse gas emissions and undermining climate goals. For example Woodside Energy’s Burrup Hub – which includes the Scarborough and Browse offshore gas fields – will emit over six billion tonnes of climate pollution over its lifetime. Woodside and the gas industry are at odds with Western Australia’s energy direction.”
