Australia, Singapore pledge deeper energy ties, eye CCS deal

Australia and Singapore agreed to conclude negotiations on a cross-border carbon capture and storage pact by the end of the year, as the two nations deepen their energy cooperation, according to a joint ministerial statement released July 28.

The commitment came from the inaugural Australia-Singapore ministerial dialogue on energy in Sydney on July 28, where Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Singapore's Trade and Industry Minister Tan See Leng co-chaired discussions on strengthening bilateral energy security and advancing net-zero transitions.

The planned CCS agreement would establish a legally binding framework for cross-border carbon storage projects, building on existing cooperation under the Australia-Singapore Low Emissions Technology initiative launched in 2024.

Both countries also discussed expanding cooperation on low-carbon fuels, including hydrogen, ammonia, and sustainable biofuels, to support future decarbonization across sectors, noting practical work carried out under the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement.

The ministers reaffirmed the importance of strengthening energy security and resilience across Southeast Asia and the Pacific amid an uncertain global environment, and reiterated their commitment to uphold their obligations under international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to ensure safe maritime trade and transit.