Environmental Advocacy in CentralQueensland (EnvA) says Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s decision to conditionally approve the Isaac River coal mine – the first such project approved by the Albanese Government since elected – is completely out of step with the global scientific consensus that the mining and burning of fossil fuels is driving dangerous climate change. EnvA also says the decision is contrary to the government’s own mandate to take serious action to combat the climate crisis.
At the same time, Minister Plibersek also decided that the impacts of climate change on our environment is not something she should address, instead allowing three coal mines to progress without any investigation of the impacts of their greenhouse gas emissions on the ecosystems, species and communities that will be significantly threatened by climate change. These mines were three of the 18 coal and gas proposals submitted for reconsideration by the Environment Council of Central Queensland’s legal team for reconsideration because of their climate risk.
Idemitsu Australia’s Ensham Life of Mine Extension Project east of Emerald is one of the mines that has escaped scrutiny about the impacts of its greenhouse gas emissions, despite these estimated to be over 100 million tonnes over the life of the operation.
The International Energy Agency has clearly identified that there can be no new investments in coal, oil or gas projects if the global energy sector is to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and help avoid catastrophic climate change.
“To tackle climate change, Australia must rapidly phase out the use of coal and gas power and get on board with the world’s transition to a clean, renewable energy future. This means leaving coal in the ground and doing more to give us a fighting chance against further climate impacts”.
Conservation groups have condemned the decision to approve the Isaac River mine and to not consider the impacts of climate change from new and expanding coal mines.
Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland Director, Dr Coral Rowston said:
“Here in Central Queensland, we’re already dealing with more severe and frequent bushfires, heatwaves, droughts and coral bleaching events. The science is clear that if we are to have a chance to slow these climate impacts, we can’t allow any new coal and gas operations”.
“The science is very clear, climate change endangers the future survival of many plants, animals and ecosystems. We have seen first-hand the impacts of heatwaves and fires on our local wildlife, and have seen numerous and frequent mass coral bleaching events”.
“I question how this government can claim that they are supporting a rapid transition to renewable energy, ensuring best-management of the Great Barrier Reef and that the aim is for no further extinctions of threatened species when they continue to approve new fossil fuel operations”.
“We call on the Environment Minister to put all new fossil fuel projects on pause until the Federal Government can properly assess them under a stronger, reformed Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act that the government committed to reform last year,” said Dr Rowston.
If this was of interest, have a look at our Living Wonders campaign page or check out all the campaigns EnvA is working on to protect our environment from climate change.
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