What's happened
Australia's environment minister has approved a 40-year extension of the North West Shelf gas project in Western Australia, despite Indigenous and environmental opposition. Conditions include emissions reductions and heritage protections, but critics warn the expansion risks damaging UNESCO-listed Aboriginal rock art and worsening climate impacts, drawing international legal and regional criticism.
What's behind the headline?
The approval of the North West Shelf extension highlights Australia's ongoing balancing act between economic interests and environmental responsibilities. Despite conditions aimed at emissions reductions and heritage protection, critics argue that the project will lock in over four billion tonnes of climate pollution, contradicting international climate obligations. Indigenous groups, particularly Murujuga custodians, warn that the expansion threatens UNESCO-listed petroglyphs, risking legal action and damaging Australia's regional reputation. The Pacific nations, led by Vanuatu, view the project as 'internationally wrongful' under the ICJ advisory opinion, emphasizing that fossil fuel expansion conflicts with global climate law. Prime Minister Albanese's government insists that domestic energy transition and fossil fuel exports are separate issues, but regional tensions suggest that Australia's climate policies will increasingly influence its diplomatic standing. The story underscores the tension between economic development, heritage preservation, and climate commitments, with regional and international implications likely to intensify as climate litigation and advocacy grow.
What the papers say
According to SBS, the project’s extension is conditioned on emissions reductions and heritage protections, with Indigenous groups warning of legal action if heritage sites are damaged. Bloomberg reports that the project will operate for 40 years with 48 conditions, including net zero emissions by 2050. Both sources note the regional criticism from Pacific nations, especially Vanuatu, which considers the expansion 'internationally wrongful' under ICJ rulings. SBS emphasizes the heritage concerns and legal risks, while Bloomberg highlights the environmental conditions and the project's economic significance. The contrasting perspectives reflect the complex debate over Australia's energy policy, heritage, and climate obligations, with regional diplomacy playing a critical role.
How we got here
The North West Shelf project, operated by Woodside, has been under review since early 2025. The approval follows a provisional green light in June, with environmental conditions negotiated since then. Indigenous groups and climate advocates have raised concerns about heritage damage and increased emissions, amid broader debates on Australia's climate commitments and regional influence.
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