Key facts
- The federal court is hearing challenges against the approval of Woodside's North West Shelf gas project extension.
- The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and Friends of Australian Rock Art (Fara) are leading the legal challenges.
- The project's approval allows the Karratha gas processing plant to operate until 2070.
- ACF argues the minister failed to properly consider climate change impacts and the project's emissions.
- Fara contends industrial emissions already harm the ancient rock art and will be worsened by the extension.
- A UN special rapporteur will advise the court on Australia's international climate obligations.
Environmental advocates are challenging the Australian government's approval of Woodside's North West Shelf gas project extension in federal court, arguing it inadequately considers climate change impacts and risks to ancient rock art.
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and Friends of Australian Rock Art (Fara) are pursuing concurrent legal actions against Environment Minister Murray Watt's decision to allow the Karratha gas processing plant to operate until 2070. The ACF contends the minister failed to properly assess the project's substantial climate change impact, estimating it could release 4 billion tonnes of CO2. Fara argues that industrial emissions already cause erosion to the petroglyphs and that the extension will exacerbate this damage.
In a significant development, a UN special rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, Astrid Puentes Riaño, has been granted leave to intervene as a 'friend of the court.' Puentes Riaño will advise on Australia's international climate obligations, referencing a recent International Court of Justice advisory opinion that countries must prevent significant harm to the environment and climate system.
Fara is also seeking details regarding meetings between Minister Watt and Woodside during the approval process, asserting the minister did not adequately identify risks to the rock art. The group, instrumental in the area's national heritage listing in 2007, believes the project's emissions pose a threat to the over 50,000-year-old petroglyphs.
Woodside stated the approval followed comprehensive assessments by regulators and declined further comment due to the ongoing court proceedings. The case is expected to continue throughout the week.