The largest coal expansion project ever proposed in NSW has been given the green light under the Minns Labor Government today, despite clear advice from the Net Zero Commission that continued coal mine extensions and expansions are inconsistent with legislated emissions reduction targets.
The coal mine will generate around 809 million tonnes of greenhouse pollution, including 15.1 million tonnes of direct emissions in NSW and will continue extracting coal through till 2045.
According to the new Carbon Impacts Tracer, emissions on this scale are estimated to contribute 0.00036°C of global heating, expose almost 500,000 people to unprecedented heat, cause the loss of nearly 15 million Great Barrier Reef coral colonies during each bleaching event, and reduce annual crop production by an amount equivalent to the minimum dietary requirements of 276,129 people.
Greens MP, Solicitor and Spokesperson for Climate Change and Planning Sue Higginson said, “This giant mine is the largest coal expansion project in NSW, with 15.1 million tonnes of direct emissions in NSW and more than 809 million tonnes of climate pollution overall,”
“The Net Zero Commission has told the Government plainly that continued coal mine extensions and expansions are inconsistent with our legislated climate targets. The Commission has also warned that approving more coal makes those targets harder to achieve,”
“The latest climate attribution science tells us what 809 million tonnes of pollution means in the real world. Almost half a million people exposed to unprecedented heat, millions of coral colonies lost during bleaching events and substantial losses in food production,”
“I can’t believe the IPC didn’t even follow through with shortening the life of the mine life to avoid some of the greenhouse emissions, it’s an absolute betrayal of the science, the evidence and the voices of our communities who are already suffering the impact of climate change,”
“The decision acknowledges that this project will contribute to climate change, that NSW is already off track for its 2030 and 2035 emissions targets, and that coal mining emissions are increasing when emissions across the economy need to fall,”
“There is an enormous question mark over the legality of this decision. It flies in the face of our legal and policy frameworks. I wouldn’t be surprised if the decision is challenged in the courts. While these sorts of legal challenges are very difficult and have a David and Goliath aspect to them, people feel compelled to bring them, because these decisions are a matter of life and death,”
“This is a failure of Labor, they can not keep approving enormous coal expansions and pretend it is taking the climate crisis seriously. The science, the State’s own climate laws and its independent Net Zero Commission are all pointing in the other direction.” Ms Higginson said.
