Australia’s domestic emissions account for one per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. But when we add the emissions released by our coal and gas exports, we are the fifth largest emitter in the world. 

Australia is now the world’s largest exporter of coal and gas, propped up by billions of dollars in foreign government support, our report Fossil Fuel Pushers reveals.

Our research shows that governments around the world are supporting fossil fuel projects with public financing, including through secretive export credit agencies (ECAs). ECAs are semi-government agencies that provide government-backed finance to companies, usually to boost their respective nations’ exports.

We want the government to announce publicly that it will support an end to public financing of fossil fuels at the OECD working group on export credits, which regulates ECAs. At every group meeting so far, Australia has blocked any new initiative to curb ECA support of fossil fuels.