Australia has joined the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the European Union, in signing a statement on Accelerating Methane Mitigation from the LNG Value Chain on the sidelines of an LNG conference in Tokyo.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King said given the agreement brought together some of the world’s biggest LNG producers and consumers, it had the potential to make a real difference in lowering emissions and fighting climate change.

“The Joint Statement commits Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United States, and the European Union to cooperate on work to lower emissions along the full LNG supply chain,” Minister King said.

“The Australian Government is steadfastly committed to lowering emissions and has legislated to cut emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 on the path to net zero by 2050.

“The road to net zero runs through Australia’s resources sector, which will be instrumental in achieving our climate goals as well as those of our resources trade partners.

“Our key LNG trade partners in Asia have planned a key role for Australian LNG in their energy transitions. Gas peaking generation, fuelled by Australian LNG, is and will continue to provide important electricity grid firming as more renewables come online.

“As one of the world’s top LNG exporters, Australia looks forward to working with our partners in Japan, the Republic of Korea, the US and the EU to ensure LNG supply chains minimise methane emissions.”

The statement is available at https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2023/07/20230719001/20230719001-2.pdf.