Resources minister faces calls to correct her claim all Beetaloo emissions will be offset
Summary
Resources Minister Madeleine King said that emissions from the Beetaloo gas basin development in the Northern Territory would be “accounted for and offset.” However, the Northern Territory government does not require full emissions offsets for the basin, and most emissions from the projects are expected not to be offset under current policies.Key Facts
- Madeleine King defended the development of the Beetaloo gas basin in a speech at the National Press Club.
- The Beetaloo basin is a large fossil fuel project south of Darwin supplying gas to eastern Australia and export markets.
- A 2018 government inquiry called the Pepper inquiry recommended full offsets of emissions from shale gas developments to prevent increased total emissions.
- The Northern Territory government dropped the requirement for full emissions offsets after industry objections.
- The federal safeguard mechanism only requires offsetting emissions directly from facilities emitting over 100,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, not full lifecycle emissions.
- Research shows about 95% of emissions from Beetaloo gas projects this decade will not need to be offset.
- Environmental groups say the government has broken promises to fully adopt the Pepper inquiry recommendations.
- Critics call on Minister King to correct her public statements about emission offsets from the Beetaloo basin.
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