48 climate organisations call on fossil fuel polluters to pull their weight

Communities demand biggest fossil fuel emitters do their fair share on climate action

Australia’s largest gas and coal companies have failed to cut climate emissions while the rest of the nation does the heavy lifting to meet our pollution reduction goals.

A coalition of 48 climate organisations is today calling on Australia’s biggest fossil fuel polluters to step up and commit to reducing pollution.  The Albanese Government is proposing to reform the so called ‘Safeguard Mechanism’ which is supposed to ensure that the heaviest climate polluters in Australia progressively reduce their emissions.  

Solutions for Climate Australia Director, Dr. Barry Traill said it was unacceptable that gas and coal companies continued to pollute at their current levels while other Australian sectors take action like investing in solar panels, making their homes more energy efficient and supporting businesses that are doing the right thing.   

“Fair’s fair and it is time these companies do their part to meet Australia’s 2030 emissions target,” Dr Traill said.

“The Safeguard Mechanism goes back to the earlier era of climate non-action.  The 215 facilities regulated by the Safeguard Mechanism now cause more of Australia’s emissions than they did in 2016.”

“In other words, we’ve all been doing more than our fair share of emissions reduction.” 

“We are calling on the companies to now do the right thing, and we’ll be calling on the Albanese Government to make sure the reforms deliver the reductions in climate pollution needed. “ 

Forty-eight climate change advocacy organisations have penned a letter to CEOs of the 12 biggest gas and coal company polluters, calling on them to cut climate pollution in line with Australia’s commitment to reduce emissions by at least 43 per cent by 2030, to stop seeking special deals on new developments, and to stop using unfettered use of carbon ‘offsets’ to seek to avoid taking responsibility for their climate pollution.

Facilities that come under the Safeguard Mechanism all emit more than 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. They include coal mining, oil and gas extraction, manufacturing and waste projects.

Ormond resident Mary Mahoney said she wanted to see her local MP, Dr. Michelle Ananda-Rajah, side with the community over polluters.

“I want the government to tell these companies to finally start to pull your weight,” she said. 

“I have solar panels at my house and a battery. I’m an avid Public Transport user. Now it’s time for the big polluters to do their fair share.”

Letters have been sent to CEOs of the “Dirty Dozen” biggest emitters: Chevron, Woodside, BHP, AngloAmerican, Santos, Glencore Coal Qld Ltd, Inpex Operations, Shell Australia, ConocoPhillips, South 32, ExxonMobil Australia & Centennial Coal.