Coal mine approvals a betrayal of climate and nature

Greenpeace Australia Pacific has condemned the decision by the Albanese government to approve three thermal coal mine expansions, a move it has labelled a betrayal of climate and nature.

The approvals will see coal dug up and burned until 2066, generating more than 1.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the projects’ lifetime.

Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected calls to embed a ‘climate trigger’ into the country’s national environment law, which would see climate impacts considered when making decisions about new fossil fuel projects.

Unparalleled environmental vandalism

Joe Rafalowicz, Head of Climate and Energy at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the decision will not only intensify climate change, but risks immense damage to precious water resources and threatened species.

‘Approving new coal mine expansions during a climate and biodiversity crisis is an act of unparalleled environmental vandalism,’ he said.

‘At a time when the world has agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, the Albanese government has chosen to side with fossil fuel interests over Australian communities, and to lock-in catastrophic levels of greenhouse gas emissions until 2066. It is simply indefensible.

‘Hiding behind the figleaf of broken environmental laws, which this government has so far failed to fix, is no excuse for adding 1.3 billion tonnes of carbon pollution to our atmosphere by approving more coal,’ said Mr Rafalowicz.

‘The decision to endorse more polluting fossil fuels is a betrayal of climate, nature, and communities across Australia and the Pacific bearing the brunt of worsening climate-fuelled disasters and extreme weather.

‘A safe and liveable climate for all must be at the heart of our government’s decision-making — we urge the Albanese government to prioritise the fast, fair phase out of fossil fuels and to uphold its commitment to “no more extinctions”.’