Non-government organisations from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have signed an open letter urging Australia to stop new fossil gas projects.

The letter was published as a full-page advertisement in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times, coordinated by The Australia Institute.

The groups say that Asia’s energy systems are shifting to use more renewable energy and less gas. They highlight that new gas projects will exacerbate the climate crisis, undermine regional security and work against the interests of both Asia and Australia.

Key points in the open letter:

• Japan can achieve 90% clean electricity by 2035 and already on-sells Australian gas to third countries.
• Solar and wind are already cheaper than gas-fired electricity in Korea, with energy storage costs also declining quickly.
• Taiwan is implementing a carbon price and already has a rooftop solar mandate, policies that will reduce the role of gas in its energy system.

“This letter is about telling Australians that Asia is serious about climate action and phasing out fossil fuels,” said Yasuko Suzuki of Japan’s Kiko Network of community-based climate groups.

“The science is as clear in Asia as it is in Australia — real climate action means no new fossil gas.”

“The dirty gas projects proposed by Japanese companies in Australia will damage communities in Australia, Japan and around the world,” said Ayumi Fukakusa from Friends of the Earth, Japan.

“Japanese Government claims that gas is somehow ‘clean’ are simply not true and are intended to promote Japan’s gas industry.”

“Strong climate action is important for communities in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, yet many gas companies justify their damaging projects in Australia by claiming to act in our interests,” said Joojin Kim from South Korea’s Solutions for Our Climate think tank.

“Asian gas companies, like gas companies everywhere, aim to make as much money as possible and pay as little tax as possible. Their profits should not be confused with the public interest in Australia or in Asia.”

“Renewable energy is surging ahead in Asia. Taiwan’s new carbon price and rooftop solar mandate will only accelerate this transition,” said Chia-Wei Chao of Taiwan’s Climate Action Network.

“While gas from Australia has been important to Taiwan and to Asia more broadly, this importance will decline, and Australia should prepare for that.”

“Australia’s gas expansion plans make it harder for Asia to transition away from fossil fuels,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute.

“Australia could help Asia and help itself by properly taxing gas companies. It is hard to understand how companies like Inpex (Japan), Kogas (South Korea) and CPC Corporation (Taiwan) have exported so much gas from Australia without ever paying the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax.”