Australia remains one of the world’s largest gas producers, with massive new projects in the pipeline.

Asia is the major destination for these exports, and we examine the regional dynamics driving this gas expansion, including the role of Japanese and Korean government and corporate stakeholders.

Our research has revealed Japan and Korea’s underlying strategy of building out an Asia-wide ‘gas empire’ intended to keep the gas industry operating and profiting for as long as possible, and how Australia is buying into the gas empire strategy, through diplomatic initiatives such as the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) and policies heavily influenced by fossil fuel interests.

Recognising the persistent social licence of gas as a key inhibitor to meaningful political solutions, our work challenges pervasive narratives used to justify gas expansion, including centring the lived experiences of frontline communities resisting this expansion across the gas supply chain, and supporting their alternative visions for the future.

“To Japan, Australian gas policy is like play-dough. Japan’s ability to change it has become so easy, it's like child’s play. It’s been moulded to serve the fossil fuel industry, not the climate nor our communities. Japan is using diplomatic force to lobby the Australian government into building new gas projects, locking in decades of polluting LNG infrastructure and shutting out the renewable energy transition. This isn't energy security, it’s a gas empire built on short-term profits at the expense of long-term, irreparable damage to the planet.”

- Mia Watanabe

Fossil Free Japan Campaigner

WHY WE NEED TO STOP GAS EXPANSION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC

Australia’s gas exports are not required for regional energy security

Existing Australian gas projects significantly exceed the energy security needs of its major gas customers, including Japan and Korea, and gas expansion only serves corporate profits.

The gas industry exploits and harms communities across the region

Gas infrastructure damages the natural environment and harms human health, and gas companies often fail to disclose these risks or adequately consult with affected communities.

Communities are calling for a just transition to renewable energy

Renewable energy is safer and now cheaper than gas across the region and provides local benefits to communities as well as resilience to global shocks.

The transition is underway

Globally, we are seeing a shift away from fossil fuels and countries like Australia and Japan are falling further and further behind.

REPORT: Resisting the Gas Empire

This report charts the journey of the gas industry from points of extraction in the Northern Territory of Australia and Papua New Guinea, through to heavy industrial complexes in Thailand and South Korea, where this gas is utilised. Across five different case studies spanning this supply chain, we interviewed community leaders who are all resisting the expansion of the gas industry.

Key findings:

People living near the gas industry report severe human health impacts, including increased rates of cancer and respiratory illness
Communities are often left in the dark about the risks of gas, with issues around consultation and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) despite international law and governing standards
Building and running gas infrastructure poses a severe threat to the natural environment and its biodiversity
Local communities are not seeing the claimed economic benefits of gas and report negative impacts on their own local businesses and livelihoods
Communities are advocating for a transition to renewable energy over gas, citing it as a cleaner, cheaper alternative for energy security
The gas industry can’t foot its own bills, with taxpayer subsidies playing a key role in underwriting gas expansion
Many regions that could be impacted by gas industry expansion are also acutely vulnerable to impacts from the climate crisis
Downstream infrastructure remains underutilised, raising questions about the claimed need for more gas imports