The North West Shelf liquefied natural gas (LNG) project has been given the green light to operate until 2070 making it the longest running facility in the country. This ruling, made on September 12, 2025, is accompanied by 48 new environmental conditions, such as the protection of the nearby Murujuga rock art, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Although the government claims that the restrictions strike a balance between energy security, protection of culture and environment, climate activists claim that the plant may produce up to 4.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide during the lifetime of the plant. The extension highlights the fact that Australia depends on fossil fuels despite global pressure to speed up its clean-energy transition.
