Representatives from the Western Australian Treasury Corporation (WATC) gave an unflinching yet forward-looking update on the State’s decarbonisation trajectory at the May PHIC CIF, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities of moving toward net zero.
As WA’s “state banker”, WATC raises capital for government projects and increasingly finds itself fielding questions from global investors about the State’s emissions profile. “We’re an emissions-intensive economy. No point denying that” Kaylene Gulich, CEO of WATC acknowledged. “But we’re also part of the solution. It’s about being honest with the data and realistic about the journey.”
The latest publication, Decarbonising Western Australia and Our Trading Partners (download here), outlines WA’s role as both a major exporter of energy and critical minerals, and a key player in global decarbonisation through emerging green industries and innovation. It’s designed to help investors understand how WA plans to manage the complexity, especially as new climate legislation and emissions targets come into effect.
The presentation didn’t shy away from tough messages. “We expect our emissions intensity to rise in some sectors,” Kaylene noted. “That’s not failure, it’s a consequence of the kind of growth and transition WA is undertaking.”
The tone was also hopeful. The oversubscription of WA’s green bonds is seen as a sign that investors are responding to transparent and grounded storytelling backed by evidence as illustrated in the publication.
“We’re not just digging and shipping anymore. We’re investing in renewables, critical minerals, midstream processing, and the infrastructure needed to support a lower-emissions economy,” continued Kaylene. “It’s not about greenwashing, it’s about showing what’s genuinely being done.”