Gas Project Faces Court Challenge Over Climate Impact

The Albanese government's approval of a major gas project extension in Western Australia is now subject to federal court challenges. Environmental organizations, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and Friends of Australian Rock Art (Fara), have initiated concurrent legal actions against Woodside's North West Shelf gas export project. This extension permits the Karratha gas processing plant to operate until 2070.

Critics have labeled the project a 'carbon bomb,' estimating it could release approximately 4 billion tonnes of CO2. These environmental concerns are compounded by the project's proximity to the Murujuga indigenous rock art complex, home to ancient petroglyphs. Fara argues that industrial emissions already contribute to the erosion of these significant cultural artifacts, a problem exacerbated by the project's extended operation.

In a significant development, a UN special rapporteur has been granted leave to intervene as a 'friend of the court.' This intervention aims to inform the court about Australia's international climate change obligations, referencing customary international law and the International Court of Justice's recent advisory opinion. The ACF's legal arguments focus on the environment minister's alleged failure to adequately consider climate change impacts and the substantial emissions associated with the project.

Fara is also seeking details regarding meetings between the Environment Minister and Woodside during the approval negotiation phase. They contend the minister did not sufficiently assess the project's risks to the rock art. Woodside has stated the government's approval followed comprehensive assessments and that they have no further comment due to the ongoing proceedings.