A recent study has established a direct connection between Woodside’s Scarborough gas project off the coast of Western Australia and significant health and environmental impacts. The research indicates that the project could lead to an additional 484 heat-related deaths in Europe this century and result in the loss of approximately 16 million corals on the Great Barrier Reef during each mass bleaching event.
This groundbreaking research utilized a well-established formula that quantifies how individual fossil fuel projects contribute to global warming. The findings offer crucial insights into the broader implications of fossil fuel investments, addressing claims made by proponents that their climate risks are negligible. The results empower decision-makers with the ability to assess the potential hazards posed by fossil fuel projects comprehensively.
Understanding the Impact of CO2 Emissions
Scientists have long recognized that every tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions exacerbates global warming. Advocates for new fossil fuel projects in Australia often argue that their emissions are minimal compared to overall global emissions, suggesting that their impact cannot be accurately measured. However, the Scarborough project, set to begin gas production in 2024, is expected to emit 876 million tonnes of CO2 over its operational lifespan, resulting in an estimated increase in global temperatures of 0.00039°C.
This increase may appear minor, but it carries significant consequences. The study estimates that the additional warming will expose 516,000 people globally to climate conditions outside the historically viable “human climate niche.” Specifically, the research highlights that the Scarborough project will lead to 484 additional heat-related deaths in Europe by the end of the century.
Threat to Marine Ecosystems
The research also underscores the potential devastation to marine life, particularly coral reefs. The study suggests that every mass bleaching event exacerbated by warming linked to the Scarborough project could result in the loss of 16 million corals from the Great Barrier Reef. The reef faces an existential threat due to human-induced climate change, and the additional pressures stemming from fossil fuel projects will worsen its plight.
Woodside’s Scarborough project is poised to produce gas for both domestic use and international markets. The gas will be transported via a 430-kilometre pipeline to an onshore processing facility. Over its estimated 30-year lifespan, the project’s emissions are predicted to account for nearly half of Australia’s annual CO2 emissions budget by 2049, complicating the nation’s efforts to meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The findings challenge Woodside’s assertion that the greenhouse gas emissions from the Scarborough project are negligible. The company’s evaluation claimed it was not feasible to link emissions from the project to specific climate impacts. In contrast, the new research demonstrates that substantial harms can be quantified and linked to individual fossil fuel projects.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Woodside emphasized the company’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to the energy transition. They noted that the Scarborough reservoir contains less than 0.1% carbon dioxide and asserted that the project is designed to be one of the lowest carbon intensity sources of liquefied natural gas (LNG) available in north Asian markets.
Ultimately, this research represents a significant advancement in understanding the environmental and health impacts of fossil fuel projects. It provides a robust framework for evaluating the risks associated with such investments, which can no longer be dismissed as negligible. As countries strive to meet their climate targets, the implications of projects like Scarborough must be carefully considered.
The study was conducted by a team including researchers Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, Andrew King, and Nicola Maher, who received funding from the Australian Research Council. Their work underscores the urgent need for informed decision-making regarding fossil fuel projects and their wider implications for public health and environmental sustainability.
