EXPORTING HARM: THE CLIMATE TOLL OF AUSTRALIA’S FOSSIL FUEL EXPANSION

The report argues that Australia is a 'fossil fuel behemoth' whose exported emissions are projected to be 3.3 times larger than its domestic emissions within five years. It highlights that despite IEA warnings against new developments, Australia has approved 30 new coal and gas projects since 2021. The document asserts that a conservative selection of planned projects could consume 6.2% of the remaining global 1.5°C carbon budget. It further criticizes the Australian Safeguard Mechanism as insufficient because it does not manage exported emissions or prevent new project approvals. Finally, it contrasts Australia's fossil fuel expansion with its public commitments to Pacific nations and its bid to co-host COP31.

• Australia's fossil fuel exports have grown rapidly, with the climate burden of these exports doubling between 1990 and 2005, and doubling again between 2005 and 2020.
• Australia is a dominant global supplier of coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG), providing 48% of internationally traded metallurgical coal, 19% of thermal coal, and 20% of all internationally traded LNG as of 2023.
• Since May 2021, the Australian government has approved 30 new coal and gas projects under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, despite IEA assessments that no new fossil fuel developments are compatible with climate goals.
• A conservative selection of planned Australian fossil fuel projects could generate 18.6 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, representing 6.2% of the remaining global carbon budget for 1.5°C.
• Fossil fuel production is a major driver of domestic emissions, accounting for an estimated 21% of Australia's annual emissions in 2022-23, with the share doubling since 2005.
• The Australian Safeguard Mechanism is deemed insufficient because it does not address exported emissions, does not manage the approval of new projects, and allows expansions of existing facilities to increase their emissions baselines.
• Australia's continued fossil fuel expansion is described as being in stark contrast to its rhetoric of solidarity with Pacific nations, potentially jeopardizing its joint bid to host COP31 in 2026.

APA

Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative (2025). EXPORTING HARM: THE CLIMATE TOLL OF AUSTRALIA’S FOSSIL FUEL EXPANSION. https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/s/Exporting-Harm-The-Climate-Toll-of-Australias-Fossil-Fuel-Expansion.pdf

Chicago

Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. EXPORTING HARM: THE CLIMATE TOLL OF AUSTRALIA’S FOSSIL FUEL EXPANSION. 2025. https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/s/Exporting-Harm-The-Climate-Toll-of-Australias-Fossil-Fuel-Expansion.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative |title=EXPORTING HARM: THE CLIMATE TOLL OF AUSTRALIA’S FOSSIL FUEL EXPANSION |date=March 2025 |url=https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/s/Exporting-Harm-The-Climate-Toll-of-Australias-Fossil-Fuel-Expansion.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{fossilfuelnonproliferationtreatyinitiative2025exporting, author = {{Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative}}, title = {{EXPORTING HARM: THE CLIMATE TOLL OF AUSTRALIA’S FOSSIL FUEL EXPANSION}}, institution = {Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative}, year = {2025}, month = mar, url = {https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/s/Exporting-Harm-The-Climate-Toll-of-Australias-Fossil-Fuel-Expansion.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }