Western Australia is to enshrine its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 into law, but environmental groups warn that the state’s proposed gas projects could derail the goal before it gets off the ground.
The announcement, made today by Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby, includes a provision requiring Whitby and his ministerial successors to report to Parliament annually on the state’s progress towards its targets, as well as committing the state government to slashing public sector emissions by 80% by the end of the decade.
But Greenpeace Australia Pacific, which called the move a “welcome step”, has warned that proposed major gas projects in the state will make the goal unfeasible.