The boss of gas giant Woodside has ignited a storm of backlash after slamming Gen Z.

Speaking on Tuesday, Meg O’Neill had raised the impact of ultra-fast fashion and consumer goods platforms such as Temu and Shein, which have surged in popularity after entering the market with extremely competitive prices.

“It’s been a fascinating journey to watch the discussion, particularly amongst young people, who have this very ideological, almost zealous, view of ‘fossil fuels bad, renewables good,’” she said, as reported by The West Australian.

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“But (they) are happily plugging in their devices, ordering things from Shein and Temu, having one little thing shipped to their house without any recognition of the energy and carbon impact of their actions.

“The consumer’s role in driving energy demand and emissions is a missing space in the conversation.”

Greens leader Larissa Waters dismissed the comments, saying “you couldn’t make something like that up”.

“Here is a very well-paid, wealthy fossil fuel executive trying to claim with a straight face that the climate crisis is the fault of young people shopping online for goods they can afford in a cost-of-living crisis,” she said.

“You can’t be the head of a massive dirty gas company and point the finger at other people about the climate crisis.”

O’Neill’s comments came a day before newly-minted federal environment minister Murray Watt provisionally approved Woodside’s proposal to extend its North West Shelf project in Western Australia, subject to conditions including impact on air emission levels.

Traditional owners have raised concerns about the impact of the expanded project on sacred rock art and have launched legal action in a bid to compel Senator Watt to protect the artwork.

Woodside Executive Vice President Liz Westcott said the proposed approval “will secure the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf and the thousands of direct and indirect jobs.”

“This nationally significant infrastructure has supplied reliable and affordable energy to Western Australia for 40 years and international customers for 35 years, and will be able to continue its contribution to energy security,” Westcott said.

“Since starting operations in 1984, the North West Shelf Project has paid over $40 billion in royalties and taxes, and supported regional development opportunities in the Pilbara.”

Woodside said it is reviewing the conditions relating to cultural heritage management and air quality.

Senator Watt rejected last-minute objections to the extension from Greenpeace and the Conservation Council of WA, which said the minister had declined to meet them.

Research released by the Australia Institute showed that emissions from the planned extension would be equivalent to 33 years of Australia’s entire emissions.

It is one of the biggest proposed fossil fuel developments in the world, and it would make climate change worse, research director Rod Campbell said.

“Vast amounts of gas are exported… by a handful of predominantly foreign-owned corporations that get most of the gas for free and pay no resources tax on the gas they export,” he said.

“We would never consider allowing dozens of new coal power stations, yet Woodside’s gas export expansion plans would have even more emissions.”

The Offshore Alliance, a partnership between the Australian Workers’ Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, backed the government’s decision, saying it secured “the future of hundreds of our members and their families.”

“What Minister Watt has done today ensures these union wages will continue to flow into communities in north-west WA for decades to come,” alliance secretary Brad Gandy said.

“All federal ministers should respect and acknowledge the value of workers within this important industry.

“To transition to a net-zero future, we need fuels for firming capacity as renewable energy sources are built and connected to the grid, and our members are very proud to be a crucial part of that transition.”

‘Climate bomb’

The Climate Council described the government’s decision as a “failure of leadership” and a “polluting stain on its climate record.”

“Communities in NSW are starting the cleanup after record-breaking floods. It is shocking that at the same time the Albanese Government has approved this massive climate bomb as the first act of this term of government,” Council Chief Executive Amanda McKenzie said.

“They’ve just opened the floodgates on over 4 billion tonnes of climate pollution.”

Greenpeace Australia Pacific argued the approval would bring “Woodside’s destructive gas drills one step closer to Scott Reef, a magnificent marine ecosystem that is home to threatened species like pygmy blue whales and green sea turtles.”