Australian independent LNG producer Woodside Energy has set a long-term target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions at its Pluto project by 2050. The program, called Pluto Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program (GGAP), has been approved by Western Australian Minister for Environment Amber-Jade Sanderson.
Pluto GGAP aims to cut Pluto’s emissions by 30% in 2030 before removing them completely by 2050. It is based on the planned expansion of Pluto LNG and covers emissions from two liquefaction trains. Woodside said the reduction would come from adopting technology, improving operations, and offsetting all reservoir CO2.
The expansion project has been criticised as Australia’s most-polluting proposed fossil fuel project. The Conservation Council of Western Australia said it would emit CO2 equal to more than 15 new coal-fired power plants. The council added that Pluto would increase Woodside’s total annual emissions by nearly 5% or 4.4 million tons.
