If Australia is the biggest gas exporter in the world, why are we shipping it back in? Because the gas market is dysfunctional - and it means consumers are suffering.
South Africa’s policymakers see a greater role for liquefied natural gas in the country’s energy mix, reduce the country’s over-reliance on coal and drive re-industrialisation.
Frank Jotzo, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University and Salim Mazouz, Australian National University
The federal government claims that Australia’s rising emissions are offset by savings around the globe when Australian gas exports replace other fossil fuels. But the numbers don’t stack up like that.
The ‘thin green line’ of resistance against any new infrastructure for shipping oil, gas and coal abroad has won many battles. But it faces a new source of pressure: the Trump administration.
Burning natural gas produces less greenhouse gases than coal or oil. But the methane emissions associated with natural gas production and liquefaction threaten to erode its environmental benefits.
Not only does U.S. law bar price-fixing, there are bipartisan efforts underway to make it possible to sue OPEC members in American courts for antitrust violations.
Even if Asia buys most of the natural gas the U.S. will be exporting soon, America’s growing role in that market could wind up reducing Russia’s political influence in Europe.
By signing an agreement with the big three producers, the government has effectively made the east coast gas shortage evaporate. But there’s no guarantee the price pain will go away too.
Fellow - Melbourne Law School; Senior Researcher - Climate Council; Associate - Australian-German Climate and Energy College, The University of Melbourne