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To prevent catastrophic and irreversible climate change, we must urgently reduce carbon emissions with ambitious reduction targets and keep fossil fuels in the ground. The most recent IPCC Climate Report called for OECD countries to phase out coal and fossil fuels by 2030. Despite this, the Labor government has shown support for fossil fuels and committed to new coal and gas projects. | |
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Background/context:
Despite our targets, Australia’s laws still work in favour of approving new fossil fuels. Without the new Nature Positive Act being legislated, the existing EPBC Act is too weak to stop new harmful coal and gas projects. The Federal Government’s annual Resource & Energy Major Projects (2024) shows that 20 new coal and gas projects are committed to proceed in the future. Fossil fuel subsidies increased by 31% to $14.5 billion, and seven new coal mine projects were approved between 2023 and 2024. One of the most contested fossil fuel projects is the Scarborough gas project, with Woodside having completed the installation of a 433 km trunkline in 2024, and set to begin producing and delivering gas in 2026. The full project will emit nearly 1.4 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases over its lifetime - this is three times Australia’s current annual emissions. The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) initiated legal action against Woodside Energy's Scarborough Gas Project, aiming to halt the project due to concerns about its potential climate impacts on the Great Barrier Reef. However, in August 2024, the ACF agreed to withdraw its legal challenge and noted this challenge faced significant legal hurdles due to the gaps in legislation. There is therefore an urgent need for laws that consider the climate damage of fossil fuel projects and reject climate-wrecking mines. Why is this important?
Who to contact:
Desired outcomes:
Resources:
Action you can take: 1. Email your MP and/or relevant Ministers: If you need some help getting started with your email, here is an example. Please don’t copy it exactly - personalise it and tailor it to the MP you are writing to. In addition, when writing to a Minister or Shadow Minister, start by saying that you’re writing to them in their role as Minister for xxxx, otherwise they will probably just forward your email to your local MP. |
[MP name] [Member for …. or Minister for ….] Dear … [personal statement - who you are and why you care] I am writing to ask you and your government to cancel all upcoming fossil fuel exploration, phase out coal and gas, and set an ambitious emissions reduction target for 2035. . The most recent IPCC report made it clear that we have very little time left to tackle climate change. To have any hope of keeping warming to 1.5C, the world must quickly transition away from fossil fuels. Despite this, your government has already refused to ban new fossil fuel projects, and has pledged support for ultra-polluting projects such as Scarborough that will negate any gains made as a result of climate policy. The results of the federal election were clear – Australians want strong action on climate change. Our new government was elected to do much better. So, I am contacting you to ask: Will you pledge to cancel all new fossil fuel exploration and production? Will you support the introduction of ambitious emissions reduction targets for 2035? I look forward to your response. Sincerely, Name Address Phone (Note: your contact details are required if you want a reply) |
2. Call your MP or Minister's office
This is a way to respond instantly to an issue and only takes a couple of minutes.
Here is a suggested script to get you started:
Hi, my name is ….. and I’m a voter in [your electorate]. I’d like to speak to …..[name of MP] (Staffer will probably say: I’m sorry they’re not available, can I take a message?) Yes, thank you! Would you please pass on my message and tell them I’m worried about…. [use 2-3 points from the briefing or email example] And ask them to …. [use 2-3 points from the briefing or email example] Thank you! |
3. Visit your MP
Nothing beats a face-to-face conversation. Email your MP’s electorate office to ask for a meeting and follow up with a phone call a few days later. Get help on how to do this under the Democracy and Governance heading on our Climate briefings webpage.
(last updated May 2025)
Fast facts on climate:
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