A US peer reviewed study challenges the idea that sending liquefied natural gas around the world is cleaner alternative to burning coal.

The study abstract says “Overall, the greenhouse gas footprint for LNG as a fuel source is 33% greater than that for coal when analyzed using GWP20 (160 g CO2-equivalent/MJ vs. 120 g CO2-equivalent/MJ). Even considered on the time frame of 100 years after emission (GWP100), which severely understates the climatic damage of methane, the LNG footprint equals or exceeds that of coal.” (Energy, Science and Engineering Journal)

This effectively debunks all those politician and Ministerial statements justifying gas expansion as a lower emissions ‘transition fuel’.

It is clearly not. Instead, exporting gas as LNG causes greater greenhouse gas emissions than coal making the climate crisis worse.

This applies also to our Wills Federal MP Peter Khalil who has strongly supported Labor’s gas expansion as a ‘transition fuel’. In 2019 at a candidates forum he justified gas expansion in the Northern Territory:

“Gas is an alternative in the intermediate period because it reduces emissions, it’s not as high as the coal. We know that, we know that coal is far higher in emissions than gas.” See Peter Khalil MP supports gas, backtracks on climate emergency message, May 1, 2019

After the Labor Government issued the Future gas strategy justifying gas expansion in May 2024, Climate Action Merribek called out this strategy strongly and took our concerns directly to Peter Khalil. In response Peter Khalil issued a statement :

The role of gas should be limited to what is absolutely necessary for our transition to a low emissions economy. Not One bit more.

See Peter Khalil says role of gas should be limited, in response to citizen pressure, 14 May 2014

While we appreciate this movement in position, Peter needs to tell his Ministerial colleagues to act, to use the water trigger powers on Fracking in the Northern Territory, and to reverse the $1.5 billion subsidy to a Middlearm LNG Export terminal, and various subsidies for gas pipelines that enable gas export.

At the moment two companies are preparing to use hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking, in the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory. This risks major damage to water resources, culture and communities, and is strongly opposed by traditional owners. While Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has ordered a scientific assessment of water impacts, she has not used her full powers with the water trigger for a moratorium of work while the assessment is prepared.

The Ferderal Government is also continuing with a $1.5 billion in assistance for the Middlearm industrial hub for Darwin, which is an effective subsidy for building an LNG export terminal at this hub.

What you can do?

Support the upcoming tour in late November by Territorians calling for our help to stop fracking the NT. Hear the stories directly about the importance of protecting country, culture and communities. More details coming….

Sign this petition to Victorian Federal Labor MPs to use their power in caucus for Tanya Plibersek to use her existing power with the water trigger to stop fracking.

Call on Labor to Reverse the $1.5 billion subsidy decision that will support building a LNG export terminal at the Middlearm Industrial hub near Darwin.

References

The Guardian, 4 October 2024, Exported gas produces far worse emissions than coal, major study finds https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/04/exported-liquefied-natural-gas-coal-study

Robert W. Howarth, 3 October 2024, The greenhouse gas footprint of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exported from the United States, Energy, Science and Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.1934

John Englart, Climate Action Merribek, May 1, 2019, Peter Khalil MP supports gas, backtracks on climate emergency message, https://climateactionmerribek.org/2019/05/01/peter-khalil-mp-supports-gas-backtracks-on-climate-emergency-message/

John Englart, Climate Action Merribek, May 14, 2024, Peter Khalil says role of gas should be limited, in response to citizen pressure https://climateactionmerribek.org/2024/05/14/peter-khalil-says-role-of-gas-should-be-limited-in-response-to-citizen-pressure/

Peter Khalil says role of gas should be limited, in response to citizen pressure

Don’t Frack the NT Petition to Federal Victorian Labor MPs, Lock the Gate, https://www.lockthegate.org.au/dont_frack_the_nt