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National Observer
3 days ago
- Politics
- National Observer
The World Court throws f-bombs — and lots of 'em
It's been a long time coming, but when the World Court delivered its opinion on climate change this week, the judges overturned decades of official timidity about naming the main cause of climate change. The opinion was long (140 pages) but interspersed among the legalese, the court threw F-bombs aplenty, fingering 'fossil fuels' as the prime culprit 35 times in the summary alone. It was the first time that the International Court of Justice had ruled on questions about climate change and its advisory opinion was wide-ranging. The judges unanimously agreed that countries must tackle fossil fuels — both burning and extraction — and that failing to curb climate change compromises human rights. The judges concluded that rich, historically high-polluting countries have a particular obligation to act and are responsible for the actions of corporations operating in their territories. And they found that failing to regulate and take meaningful action on climate change creates the legal basis for compensation and other kinds of 'reparations' to nations suffering climate damages. In one of the F-bombs, the judges very clearly warned that, 'Failure of a State to take appropriate action to protect the climate system from GHG emissions — including through fossil fuel production, fossil fuel consumption, the granting of fossil fuel exploration licences or the provision of fossil fuel subsidies — may constitute an internationally wrongful act which is attributable to that State.' Representatives from the most vulnerable nations were elated. "I didn't expect it to be this good," said Vanuatu's Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu, standing on the steps of the Peace Palace in The Hague. Known across the Pacific as 'Minister Ralph,' Regenvanu has been pushing climate change towards the docket of the World Court for years. But it wasn't his idea. The idea started in the most improbable manner. It came from a group of students at the University of the South Pacific brainstorming strategies for a class assignment in 2019. The students decided to pursue the project beyond their campus in Fiji, dubbed themselves the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change and began contacting all the Pacific Island Nations along with New Zealand and Australia. They got a few polite brush-offs but no traction until Regenvanu responded, inviting them in for a meeting. After hearing them out, he decided that Vanuatu would support a campaign to get climate change in front of the World Court. In a landmark ruling, World Court judges unanimously agreed that countries must tackle fossil fuels — both burning and extraction — and that failing to curb climate change compromises human rights. 'We've got to exhaust all possible avenues because we have no choice,' says Regenvanu. Six villages on four of its islands have already been relocated and the government is planning to relocate dozens more. Vanuatu has been fighting on all fronts. It was the first country to begin maneuvering for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and has been actively pressing for loss and damage mechanisms and serious carbon cuts by big polluters. 'It's our survival,' Regenvanu says. 'We need to make sure that there's nothing we miss in this fight.' Over the past six years, the students organized to 'bring the world's biggest problem to the world's highest court.' They galvanized support and transformed their class project into a major global campaign. They mobilized former heads of state, artists and citizens around the world. By the time they got a resolution in front of the UN General Assembly in 2023, the polite brush-offs had turned into active support — the resolution had 18 nations as 'champions' while 132 others joined as co-sponsors. The UN directed the ICJ to clarify countries' obligations in tackling climate change and the legal consequences they could face if they fail to meet them. It was the biggest case the ICJ had ever undertaken. Starting last December, the 15 judges heard from almost 100 countries. They considered submissions from especially vulnerable nations, listened to testimony from victims of climate impacts and held sessions with scientists. Meanwhile, countries like the US, Canada, China and Saudi Arabia argued they had no obligations to reduce carbon pollution beyond their voluntary pledges under the 2015 Paris Agreement and existing UN framework convention on climate change. The ICJ rejected those arguments and delivered an opinion listing legal obligations that reach well beyond voluntary contributions and put countries on notice that they could be held liable for damages. The ICJ president, Yūji Iwasawa, said climate change had already caused severe impacts on nature and people: 'These consequences underscore an urgent existential threat,' he said as he presented the opinion. 'The questions posed by the General Assembly represent more than a legal problem. It's an existential problem of planetary proportions that imperils all forms of life and the very health of our planet.' Will it matter? The whole notion of international law might sound like a cruel joke these days. But the World Court opinion has certainly energized communities at the frontlines and waterlines. And jurisprudence often builds in sedimentary fashion, solidifying in gradual layers of findings from lower courts and higher courts, international precedents and domestic judgements. The opinion from the ICJ is its summary of the state of legal obligations, and is non-binding. And, of course, international judges are unable to enforce rulings themselves. But courts are increasingly weighing in on climate obligations. In May 2024, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ruled that countries must protect the oceans from acidification. Earlier this month, the Inter-American Court on Human Rights determined that a healthy climate is a human right. Across the world there were at least 226 new climate cases filed in 2024. That brings the global tally to 2,967 cases filed to date, according to a June update from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate. In one fascinating case this past May, a German court heard from a Peruvian farmer who sued the German utility RWE, arguing its carbon pollution was causing glacial floods in the Andes. The court dismissed the specific case but ruled that companies could be held liable for climate damages in civil proceedings and that 'the polluter must bear the costs in proportion to their share of the emissions.' The ICJ opinion, and specifically the F-bombs peppered throughout it, 'should send shivers down the spine' of the fossil fuel industry and governments that support it, said David Boyd, an associate professor with the University of British Columbia and former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment. 'It's the clearest statement we've had from an international court that we have to get off fossil fuels,' Boyd said. Although the ICJ advisory opinion is non-binding, it establishes clear guidance about the international obligations and other relevant laws which are binding on countries. The opinion charts legal avenues for countries to sue each other and be held liable for damages caused by fossil fuel pollution. And legal experts say it will serve as a 'crucial tool' for domestic courts. The journey from a university classroom in Fiji to the highest court in the world shows that the most groundbreaking moments can originate from the most unexpected places. The Pacific Island students started with a class assignment and recast the landscape of international law. Thanks to a group of determined students, the world's legal arsenal just got significantly stronger. The F-bombs have been dropped, the law clarified, the repercussions conveyed. Whatever happens next in the courtrooms of the world, the movements for climate justice have already been reenergized. "This advisory opinion is a tool for climate justice,' said Vishal Prasad, director of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change. 'And boy, has the ICJ given us a strong tool to carry on the fight for climate justice."
The Advertiser
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Why a fossil fuel-free COP could put Australia's bid over the edge
When the medical world hosts a conference on quitting smoking, they don't invite Phillip Morris, or British American Tobacco along to help "be part of the solution". Yet when the United Nations hosts its annual climate conference of the parties (known as COP) to reduce emissions, it's usually swamped by fossil fuel lobbyists. The Albanese government is bidding to host next year's COP31 climate summit in Adelaide, alongside Pacific Island Nations. Turkey is also bidding to host the COP and is Australia's main rival for the bid. The decision could be announced any day now. One thing is certain: if fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists get access to COP31, they'll do their best to sabotage any chance of achieving ambitious climate action. That's why the Australia Institute has called on the Albanese government to ban fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31 could give Australia an edge in winning the bid over Turkey by demonstrating our genuine commitment to tackling the source of the problem. Let's be clear - coal, oil and gas companies are causing the climate crisis. The United Nations, the world's scientists and the International Energy Agency have all made it crystal clear that to avert the worst consequences of global heating, the world must swiftly phase out fossil fuels. These companies have no place at UN climate talks. Yet, at last year's COP29 in Azerbaijan, the media reported that fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered the delegations of almost every country, with at least 1770 coal, oil, and gas lobbyists granted access to the United Nations climate talks in Baku. Oil deals were brokered on the sidelines. Ministers were courted at coal and gas-sponsored events. It's how the climate negotiations consistently get derailed, delayed and watered down. Australia is no exception. It's no surprise, really, considering we're the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Back when Scott Morrison was Prime Minister, Australia's official pavilion at COP26 in Glasgow proudly promoted gas giant Santos. At the same UN conference, the Morrison government rejected joining a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, which about 90 other countries signed. Deirdre Chambers, what a coincidence! Inviting fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists to the UN climate conference is inviting failure. It will stifle calls to stop opening new gas and coal mines from Pacific leaders, scientists and people around the world. The Australian government is working hard to convince the world that we should be chosen in partnership with Pacific Island Nations to host COP31 in Adelaide. The UNFCCC, the body that decides the host, is due to announce its decision by September. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from an Australia-hosted COP31 would not only show Australia is serious about tackling the problem, but it could even help the government secure the bid. At previous COPs, it's clear that the presence of fossil fuel corporations and lobbyists has only led to weaker agreements. In 2023, the president of COP28 was Sultan Al Jaber, who also happened to be the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, Adnoc. The Sultan claimed there was "no science" indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees. Ultimately, the wording "phase-out" of coal was weakened to "phase-down" in the final agreement hashed out in the final hours of the conference that year. Science requires a phaseout of fossil fuels, yet time and again their lobbyists successfully delay and derail the world's attempts to save itself from sea level rise, extreme heat and more frequent and intense bushfires and floods. The Labor government plans to use the COP31 conference, which will attract tens of thousands of international visitors, to showcase its Future Made in Australia new green economy agenda. Investing in critical minerals processing, green metals and clean energy manufacturing, including battery and solar panel supply chains, is important. It will help highlight the difference between Labor's priorities and those of the previous Coalition government on climate. MORE EBONY BENNETT: But Australia does not have a great track record at international climate talks. And talking up clean energy manufacturing doesn't erase Australia's main contribution to the climate crisis - our massive gas and coal exports. Australia is the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Australia continues to subsidise and approve fossil fuel expansion, with more than 100 gas and coal projects in development. And one of the first acts of the newly elected Albanese government was to approve Woodside's enormous North West Shelf gas export extension. So far, not so different from the "gas-led recovery" Coalition government on climate. Emissions from gas export projects operating in Western Australia are making WA, Australia and the rest of the world hotter, and disasters like fires and floods more frequent and extreme. Emissions from these exports are already greater than 153 individual countries, and greater than all of Australia's coal power stations combined. Australia Institute research shows Woodside's North West Shelf gas export project has caused WA gas and electricity prices to triple since it was granted access to domestic gas in 2020, and the extension will see around $215 billion worth of gas given away royalty-free. No gas exporter has ever paid petroleum resource rent tax, and most pay zero royalties. Gas exporters have made $100 billion in windfall profits exporting Australian gas since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Australians have seen little benefit from these windfall profits, something the Treasurer could fix as part of upcoming tax reforms. It's clear that fossil fuel lobbyists are some of the most effective operators on Earth, and banning them from COP31 would strengthen Australia's bid to host COP. There's no doubt that hosting COP31 would be a big deal for the Albanese Labor government. But only keeping fossil fuels in the ground will make COP31 a big deal for the planet. When the medical world hosts a conference on quitting smoking, they don't invite Phillip Morris, or British American Tobacco along to help "be part of the solution". Yet when the United Nations hosts its annual climate conference of the parties (known as COP) to reduce emissions, it's usually swamped by fossil fuel lobbyists. The Albanese government is bidding to host next year's COP31 climate summit in Adelaide, alongside Pacific Island Nations. Turkey is also bidding to host the COP and is Australia's main rival for the bid. The decision could be announced any day now. One thing is certain: if fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists get access to COP31, they'll do their best to sabotage any chance of achieving ambitious climate action. That's why the Australia Institute has called on the Albanese government to ban fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31 could give Australia an edge in winning the bid over Turkey by demonstrating our genuine commitment to tackling the source of the problem. Let's be clear - coal, oil and gas companies are causing the climate crisis. The United Nations, the world's scientists and the International Energy Agency have all made it crystal clear that to avert the worst consequences of global heating, the world must swiftly phase out fossil fuels. These companies have no place at UN climate talks. Yet, at last year's COP29 in Azerbaijan, the media reported that fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered the delegations of almost every country, with at least 1770 coal, oil, and gas lobbyists granted access to the United Nations climate talks in Baku. Oil deals were brokered on the sidelines. Ministers were courted at coal and gas-sponsored events. It's how the climate negotiations consistently get derailed, delayed and watered down. Australia is no exception. It's no surprise, really, considering we're the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Back when Scott Morrison was Prime Minister, Australia's official pavilion at COP26 in Glasgow proudly promoted gas giant Santos. At the same UN conference, the Morrison government rejected joining a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, which about 90 other countries signed. Deirdre Chambers, what a coincidence! Inviting fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists to the UN climate conference is inviting failure. It will stifle calls to stop opening new gas and coal mines from Pacific leaders, scientists and people around the world. The Australian government is working hard to convince the world that we should be chosen in partnership with Pacific Island Nations to host COP31 in Adelaide. The UNFCCC, the body that decides the host, is due to announce its decision by September. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from an Australia-hosted COP31 would not only show Australia is serious about tackling the problem, but it could even help the government secure the bid. At previous COPs, it's clear that the presence of fossil fuel corporations and lobbyists has only led to weaker agreements. In 2023, the president of COP28 was Sultan Al Jaber, who also happened to be the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, Adnoc. The Sultan claimed there was "no science" indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees. Ultimately, the wording "phase-out" of coal was weakened to "phase-down" in the final agreement hashed out in the final hours of the conference that year. Science requires a phaseout of fossil fuels, yet time and again their lobbyists successfully delay and derail the world's attempts to save itself from sea level rise, extreme heat and more frequent and intense bushfires and floods. The Labor government plans to use the COP31 conference, which will attract tens of thousands of international visitors, to showcase its Future Made in Australia new green economy agenda. Investing in critical minerals processing, green metals and clean energy manufacturing, including battery and solar panel supply chains, is important. It will help highlight the difference between Labor's priorities and those of the previous Coalition government on climate. MORE EBONY BENNETT: But Australia does not have a great track record at international climate talks. And talking up clean energy manufacturing doesn't erase Australia's main contribution to the climate crisis - our massive gas and coal exports. Australia is the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Australia continues to subsidise and approve fossil fuel expansion, with more than 100 gas and coal projects in development. And one of the first acts of the newly elected Albanese government was to approve Woodside's enormous North West Shelf gas export extension. So far, not so different from the "gas-led recovery" Coalition government on climate. Emissions from gas export projects operating in Western Australia are making WA, Australia and the rest of the world hotter, and disasters like fires and floods more frequent and extreme. Emissions from these exports are already greater than 153 individual countries, and greater than all of Australia's coal power stations combined. Australia Institute research shows Woodside's North West Shelf gas export project has caused WA gas and electricity prices to triple since it was granted access to domestic gas in 2020, and the extension will see around $215 billion worth of gas given away royalty-free. No gas exporter has ever paid petroleum resource rent tax, and most pay zero royalties. Gas exporters have made $100 billion in windfall profits exporting Australian gas since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Australians have seen little benefit from these windfall profits, something the Treasurer could fix as part of upcoming tax reforms. It's clear that fossil fuel lobbyists are some of the most effective operators on Earth, and banning them from COP31 would strengthen Australia's bid to host COP. There's no doubt that hosting COP31 would be a big deal for the Albanese Labor government. But only keeping fossil fuels in the ground will make COP31 a big deal for the planet. When the medical world hosts a conference on quitting smoking, they don't invite Phillip Morris, or British American Tobacco along to help "be part of the solution". Yet when the United Nations hosts its annual climate conference of the parties (known as COP) to reduce emissions, it's usually swamped by fossil fuel lobbyists. The Albanese government is bidding to host next year's COP31 climate summit in Adelaide, alongside Pacific Island Nations. Turkey is also bidding to host the COP and is Australia's main rival for the bid. The decision could be announced any day now. One thing is certain: if fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists get access to COP31, they'll do their best to sabotage any chance of achieving ambitious climate action. That's why the Australia Institute has called on the Albanese government to ban fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31 could give Australia an edge in winning the bid over Turkey by demonstrating our genuine commitment to tackling the source of the problem. Let's be clear - coal, oil and gas companies are causing the climate crisis. The United Nations, the world's scientists and the International Energy Agency have all made it crystal clear that to avert the worst consequences of global heating, the world must swiftly phase out fossil fuels. These companies have no place at UN climate talks. Yet, at last year's COP29 in Azerbaijan, the media reported that fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered the delegations of almost every country, with at least 1770 coal, oil, and gas lobbyists granted access to the United Nations climate talks in Baku. Oil deals were brokered on the sidelines. Ministers were courted at coal and gas-sponsored events. It's how the climate negotiations consistently get derailed, delayed and watered down. Australia is no exception. It's no surprise, really, considering we're the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Back when Scott Morrison was Prime Minister, Australia's official pavilion at COP26 in Glasgow proudly promoted gas giant Santos. At the same UN conference, the Morrison government rejected joining a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, which about 90 other countries signed. Deirdre Chambers, what a coincidence! Inviting fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists to the UN climate conference is inviting failure. It will stifle calls to stop opening new gas and coal mines from Pacific leaders, scientists and people around the world. The Australian government is working hard to convince the world that we should be chosen in partnership with Pacific Island Nations to host COP31 in Adelaide. The UNFCCC, the body that decides the host, is due to announce its decision by September. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from an Australia-hosted COP31 would not only show Australia is serious about tackling the problem, but it could even help the government secure the bid. At previous COPs, it's clear that the presence of fossil fuel corporations and lobbyists has only led to weaker agreements. In 2023, the president of COP28 was Sultan Al Jaber, who also happened to be the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, Adnoc. The Sultan claimed there was "no science" indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees. Ultimately, the wording "phase-out" of coal was weakened to "phase-down" in the final agreement hashed out in the final hours of the conference that year. Science requires a phaseout of fossil fuels, yet time and again their lobbyists successfully delay and derail the world's attempts to save itself from sea level rise, extreme heat and more frequent and intense bushfires and floods. The Labor government plans to use the COP31 conference, which will attract tens of thousands of international visitors, to showcase its Future Made in Australia new green economy agenda. Investing in critical minerals processing, green metals and clean energy manufacturing, including battery and solar panel supply chains, is important. It will help highlight the difference between Labor's priorities and those of the previous Coalition government on climate. MORE EBONY BENNETT: But Australia does not have a great track record at international climate talks. And talking up clean energy manufacturing doesn't erase Australia's main contribution to the climate crisis - our massive gas and coal exports. Australia is the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Australia continues to subsidise and approve fossil fuel expansion, with more than 100 gas and coal projects in development. And one of the first acts of the newly elected Albanese government was to approve Woodside's enormous North West Shelf gas export extension. So far, not so different from the "gas-led recovery" Coalition government on climate. Emissions from gas export projects operating in Western Australia are making WA, Australia and the rest of the world hotter, and disasters like fires and floods more frequent and extreme. Emissions from these exports are already greater than 153 individual countries, and greater than all of Australia's coal power stations combined. Australia Institute research shows Woodside's North West Shelf gas export project has caused WA gas and electricity prices to triple since it was granted access to domestic gas in 2020, and the extension will see around $215 billion worth of gas given away royalty-free. No gas exporter has ever paid petroleum resource rent tax, and most pay zero royalties. Gas exporters have made $100 billion in windfall profits exporting Australian gas since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Australians have seen little benefit from these windfall profits, something the Treasurer could fix as part of upcoming tax reforms. It's clear that fossil fuel lobbyists are some of the most effective operators on Earth, and banning them from COP31 would strengthen Australia's bid to host COP. There's no doubt that hosting COP31 would be a big deal for the Albanese Labor government. But only keeping fossil fuels in the ground will make COP31 a big deal for the planet. When the medical world hosts a conference on quitting smoking, they don't invite Phillip Morris, or British American Tobacco along to help "be part of the solution". Yet when the United Nations hosts its annual climate conference of the parties (known as COP) to reduce emissions, it's usually swamped by fossil fuel lobbyists. The Albanese government is bidding to host next year's COP31 climate summit in Adelaide, alongside Pacific Island Nations. Turkey is also bidding to host the COP and is Australia's main rival for the bid. The decision could be announced any day now. One thing is certain: if fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists get access to COP31, they'll do their best to sabotage any chance of achieving ambitious climate action. That's why the Australia Institute has called on the Albanese government to ban fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from COP31 could give Australia an edge in winning the bid over Turkey by demonstrating our genuine commitment to tackling the source of the problem. Let's be clear - coal, oil and gas companies are causing the climate crisis. The United Nations, the world's scientists and the International Energy Agency have all made it crystal clear that to avert the worst consequences of global heating, the world must swiftly phase out fossil fuels. These companies have no place at UN climate talks. Yet, at last year's COP29 in Azerbaijan, the media reported that fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered the delegations of almost every country, with at least 1770 coal, oil, and gas lobbyists granted access to the United Nations climate talks in Baku. Oil deals were brokered on the sidelines. Ministers were courted at coal and gas-sponsored events. It's how the climate negotiations consistently get derailed, delayed and watered down. Australia is no exception. It's no surprise, really, considering we're the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Back when Scott Morrison was Prime Minister, Australia's official pavilion at COP26 in Glasgow proudly promoted gas giant Santos. At the same UN conference, the Morrison government rejected joining a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, which about 90 other countries signed. Deirdre Chambers, what a coincidence! Inviting fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists to the UN climate conference is inviting failure. It will stifle calls to stop opening new gas and coal mines from Pacific leaders, scientists and people around the world. The Australian government is working hard to convince the world that we should be chosen in partnership with Pacific Island Nations to host COP31 in Adelaide. The UNFCCC, the body that decides the host, is due to announce its decision by September. Banning fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists from an Australia-hosted COP31 would not only show Australia is serious about tackling the problem, but it could even help the government secure the bid. At previous COPs, it's clear that the presence of fossil fuel corporations and lobbyists has only led to weaker agreements. In 2023, the president of COP28 was Sultan Al Jaber, who also happened to be the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company, Adnoc. The Sultan claimed there was "no science" indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees. Ultimately, the wording "phase-out" of coal was weakened to "phase-down" in the final agreement hashed out in the final hours of the conference that year. Science requires a phaseout of fossil fuels, yet time and again their lobbyists successfully delay and derail the world's attempts to save itself from sea level rise, extreme heat and more frequent and intense bushfires and floods. The Labor government plans to use the COP31 conference, which will attract tens of thousands of international visitors, to showcase its Future Made in Australia new green economy agenda. Investing in critical minerals processing, green metals and clean energy manufacturing, including battery and solar panel supply chains, is important. It will help highlight the difference between Labor's priorities and those of the previous Coalition government on climate. MORE EBONY BENNETT: But Australia does not have a great track record at international climate talks. And talking up clean energy manufacturing doesn't erase Australia's main contribution to the climate crisis - our massive gas and coal exports. Australia is the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels in the world. Australia continues to subsidise and approve fossil fuel expansion, with more than 100 gas and coal projects in development. And one of the first acts of the newly elected Albanese government was to approve Woodside's enormous North West Shelf gas export extension. So far, not so different from the "gas-led recovery" Coalition government on climate. Emissions from gas export projects operating in Western Australia are making WA, Australia and the rest of the world hotter, and disasters like fires and floods more frequent and extreme. Emissions from these exports are already greater than 153 individual countries, and greater than all of Australia's coal power stations combined. Australia Institute research shows Woodside's North West Shelf gas export project has caused WA gas and electricity prices to triple since it was granted access to domestic gas in 2020, and the extension will see around $215 billion worth of gas given away royalty-free. No gas exporter has ever paid petroleum resource rent tax, and most pay zero royalties. Gas exporters have made $100 billion in windfall profits exporting Australian gas since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Australians have seen little benefit from these windfall profits, something the Treasurer could fix as part of upcoming tax reforms. It's clear that fossil fuel lobbyists are some of the most effective operators on Earth, and banning them from COP31 would strengthen Australia's bid to host COP. There's no doubt that hosting COP31 would be a big deal for the Albanese Labor government. But only keeping fossil fuels in the ground will make COP31 a big deal for the planet.
