Australia’s environmental laws are failing to prevent harm, with coal projects routinely approved, breaching conditions, and facing limited enforcement. EnvA is calling for urgent reforms to address cumulative impacts, strengthen compliance, and ensure meaningful protection for climate, water and threatened species.
Category Archives: climate change
Land Court puts climate impacts front and centre in Sonoma coal decision
A landmark Land Court decision on the Sonoma East coal mine expansion has reinforced that climate change impacts human rights, while calling out the proponent’s lack of concrete emissions reduction commitments.
World on Track for Dangerous Warming as New Climate Report Sounds Alarm
A new report from the World Meteorological Organization confirms the world has experienced its 11 hottest years on record, with emissions continuing to rise. The findings highlight an urgent need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, with Australia identified as having disproportionately high emissions and a critical role to play in meeting Paris Agreement targets.
New coal mine proposal fails environmental and climate test
EnvA opposes the proposed Saraji East coal mine due to the unacceptable environmental risks.
The project fails to assess cumulative impacts and would result in significant habitat loss in an already heavily cleared region.
It also depends on unproven water management systems that have recently failed during extreme weather events.
Federal Government approves massive new Queensland gas project despite climate and biodiversity commitments
The Federal Government has approved a major new gas project in Queensland, allowing the development of up to 1,695 wells and 1,545 km of pipelines. The project will clear significant koala and greater glider habitat and generate more than 110 million tonnes of emissions, drawing strong criticism over the project’s climate and biodiversity impacts.
Federal Minister faces test as Hail Creek coal Expansion awaits EPBC decision
The Queensland Government has approved an extension to Glencore’s Hail Creek open cut coal mine, allowing the clearing of hundreds of hectares of koala habitat.
The project now requires federal approval under the EPBC Act.
EnvA is urging the Commonwealth to reject the expansion.
Central Queensland group calls for refusal of Centurion North mine amendment
EnvA has called for the refusal of a major amendment to the Centurion North Mine Environmental Authority, warning that the proposal represents a staged development that should be assessed as part of the full project through a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement.
EnvA’s submission highlights significant impacts on the environment and incomplete assessments of water and greenhouse gas emissions.
Central Queensland coal company Vitrinite enters administration as sector instability deepens
Vitrinite’s administration highlights growing instability in Central Queensland’s coal sector. As prices fluctuate and costs rise, more companies are faltering — leaving workers and communities exposed. EnvA is calling on governments to stop approving new coal projects in an increasingly volatile market.
Albanese Government greenlights coal expansion – amid a climate crisis
The Albanese Government has approved the extension of the Middlemount Coal Mine, adding to the 32 fossil fuel projects already approved.
EnvA says the decision makes a mockery of the government’s climate commitments and brings endangered species a step closer to extinction.
Coal mine expansion threatens endangered species, water resources and climate targets
Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland is calling on the Federal Environment Minister to refuse approval of Glencore’s proposed Hail Creek mine expansion, warning it would cause unacceptable harm to endangered species, water resources and the Great Barrier Reef, while adding millions of tonnes of climate pollution.
EnvA - CQ 