Woodside blindly progresses Browse despite all advice to the contrary

The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility​ (ACCR)  is commenting on Woodside’s recent announcement that the final Environmental Impact statement has been published for the Browse to North West Shelf Project.

Commenting on the announcement, Alex Hillman, Lead Carbon Analyst at the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) said:

“When the International Energy Agency clearly states that no new oil and gas projects can be approved in a 1.5C scenario, Woodside’s claim that Browse is Paris aligned is not just alarming but certifiably insane.

“Despite having been rejected by Woodside’s board, Browse just won’t die.

“Browse is yesterday’s false solution to today’s energy crisis. It can’t start producing until 2030 and will continue causing climate damage beyond 2060.

“Browse will result in more than 1.6 billion tonnes of emissions.

“At this year’s AGM, Meg O’Neill said Browse will need to ‘manage its carbon’ if it’s to proceed. The updated environmental approvals still fail to seriously consider Browse’s emissions. It doesn’t even try to claim carbon capture and storage will reduce emissions and instead relies purely on the crutch of offsets.

“49% of Woodside’s shareholders voted against the company’s climate transition plan at the 2022 AGM. Progressing Browse is in clear contempt of Woodside’s shareholders. Board renewal is certainly an option given Woodside fails to listen to its shareholders.”