Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Lobbying Overview: Tamboran Resources (Tamboran) appears to have broadly negative engagement on climate change policy. The company’s top-line messaging suggests support for action on climate change, but appears supportive of a major role for fossil gas in the energy mix in the long-term and does not appear to support specific climate-related policies.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: Tamboran appears to support top-line climate targets in its own disclosures, however, its messaging in its engagement with specific climate-related policy appears less supportive. In the company’s 1656041 Climate Change Policy, published September 2023, it stated support for limiting temperature rise to well below 2°C. However, in the company’s consultation response to the Climate Change Bill 2022 and the Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022, in August 2022, it stated that it ‘cautions against’ including the 1.5°C target in the bill, as it would provide ‘additional ammunition to lawfare’ lawsuits in Australian courts on the grounds that legitimate Australian projects are incompatible with an unattainable global target.” Additionally, in its consultation response to Securing Australia’s Domestic Gas Supply, also in August 2022, Tamboran appeared to not support additional climate regulation, stating that the ‘government consider reducing red tape as well as streamlining tax, legislative and environmental requirements and satisfactions as part of a prospecting and production process.’
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: Tamboran appears to have limited but negative engagement with specific climate-related regulations. In its consultation response on the Safeguard Mechanism Reform in September 2022, it appeared to not support the policy. Tamboran advocated for the inclusion of international offsets in the policy and appeared to not support the proposal to apply best practice baselines to new facilities.
Positioning on Energy Transition: Tamboran’s public statements suggest support for a major role for fossil gas in the future energy mix. In a hearing to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications on the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, CEO Joel Riddle promoted the role of fossil gas in Australia and the need for new supply. In November 2023, Tamboran submitted comments to the consultation on the Future Gas Strategy, in which it advocated for an increased role for fossil gas and the 'dismantling of regulatory hurdles'. Previously, in its August 2022 response to Securing Australia’s Domestic Gas Supply, the company also advocated for the removal of ‘regulatory and environmental barriers that do not balance timely investment and production’.
Industry Association Governance: As of October 2024, Tamboran has not published a dedicated review of its memberships to industry associations, but does disclose its memberships on its corporate website. Tamboran CEO Joel Riddle is a board member of the Australian Energy Producers which traditionally engages negatively with climate-related policy in Australia.