SYDNEY, Wednesday 4 March 2026 — As the Middle East crisis sends global gas and oil prices surging, Greenpeace Australia Pacific warns that peace and security will remain at the mercy of geopolitics as long as we remain hooked on fossil fuels.

Experts have warned the outbreak of war in the Middle East, and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, risks a repeat of the 2022 energy shock driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that forced Australian power bills up by more than 40%.

While households brace for a new wave of price hikes, the conflict could prove a goldmine for gas corporations, with share prices for Woodside and Santos surging this week as they look to cash in on windfall war profits.

Solaye Snider, Climate Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific said: “The escalating violence and suffering in the Middle East is deeply distressing. 

“The resulting energy shock being felt around the world shows why we need to unhook from volatile sources of energy. It is disturbing to see that here in Australia, power bills are set to skyrocket because of yet another war, while gas corporations like Woodside and Santos stand to line their pockets from windfall war profits. 

“As long as we are dependent on fossil fuels, we will be at the mercy of geopolitics and impulsive decisions made by foreign leaders.  

“We need to urgently move away from these inherently volatile sources of energy. Transitioning to local renewables is the way to protect Australian households and businesses from international energy price volatility, and ensure a safe, clean and peaceful future for all.”

-ENDS-

Media contact: Lucy Keller on 0491 135 308 or lucy.keller@greenpeace.org

Gas price shocks from Middle East crisis proves Australia must unhook itself from volatile fossil fuels

Acetone, ethanol, 1,4-dioxane and methylene chloride were among contaminants found in a stream near Brenntag Mid-South’s chemical repackaging facility.

By Lisa Sorg

DURHAM, N.C.—Brenntag Mid-South continues to amass serious environmental violations related to its chemical repackaging plant in East Durham, where state inspectors cited the company in November for failing to clean up leaking barrels on the property.

A Global Chemical Giant Racks Up Violations in Durham, N.C., Where Drinking Water for a Million Is Threatened

The president is scheduled to unveil his Ratepayer Protection Pledge as he greenlights data centers to power America’s race for artificial intelligence.

By Charles Paullin

RICHMOND, Va.— President Donald Trump is expected on Wednesday to sign his “Ratepayer Protection Pledge,” a deal he claims to have negotiated with major tech companies for data centers to pay their own energy costs. But he hasn’t disclosed details on how his plan would work or what roles Congress and state electricity regulators would play.

Few Details on Trump’s Plan for Self-Powered Data Centers