7am Murray Watt on our broken environmental laws and saying 'yes' to Woodside
Aug 31, 2025
Murray Watt, Australia's Federal Environment Minister and a key figure in addressing the nation's environmental issues, discusses his critical role in reforming outdated environmental laws. He tackles the difficult decision to greenlight fossil fuel projects like Woodside, all while aiming to meet climate change goals. The conversation delves into the challenges of carbon emission safeguards and the cultural impact of industrial emissions on UNESCO sites. Watt also highlights ongoing political unrest amid pressing environmental crises in Australia.
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Approval Based On Legal Scope Not Climate
- Murray Watt framed his NW Shelf approval as a legal decision focused on rock art impact rather than climate emissions.
- He stressed emissions are handled separately via the safeguards mechanism requiring cuts and net zero by 2050.
Exported Emissions Count Where Burned
- Watt explained international rules count emissions where fuels are burned, not where they are produced.
- He argued exported fuel emissions are for importing countries to manage under the Paris framework.
World Heritage Role And Rock Art Assessment
- Watt recounted his role in securing Murujuga's World Heritage listing and assessing impacts on petroglyphs.
- He said scientific evidence showed current project emissions are unlikely to affect the rock art and measures can protect it.