News analysis

Australia, the fossil fuel superpower

A July 2002 photo of a bulk carrier laden with coal that ran aground at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. PHOTO: AFP
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SINGAPORE - At the COP26 climate talks last November, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told world leaders that his nation would commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and ensure Australia "meets and beats on its commitments".

What he did not say was that his government planned to ramp up fossil fuel exports, a step that directly threatened the key aim of COP26 - to limit global warming to 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial levels.

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