NSW Net Zero Commission report finds new coal will be contrary to law
A landmark new report from NSW’s independent Net Zero Commission “Coal Mining Emissions Spotlight Report” has found “Continued extensions or expansions to coal mining in NSW are not consistent with the emissions reduction targets in the Climate Change Act or the Paris Agreement temperature goals it gives effect to.”
The report, released ahead of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Emissions From the Fossil Fuel Industry, will have wide-ranging practical and legal ramifications for the some 21 coal mine expansions in the NSW pipeline, and the findings have sparked calls for a moratorium on new coal approvals.
The Net Zero Commission also recommended stronger on-site monitoring and abatement of fugitive emissions for existing mines, greater consideration of climate impacts during planning decisions, and a just and orderly transition for coal-producing communities.
Greens MP, Solicitor and spokesperson for Climate Change Sue Higginson said “The Net Zero Commission’s findings are a massive shot across the bow of the sinking coal industry, and the Minns Labor Government should heed the clear warning and not get caught in the cross fire,”
“The independent Net Zero Commission has made the irrefutable finding that even a single new coal approval will be contrary to the law of our State and will offend the Paris Agreement,”
“It is time for the Minns Labor Government to realise and give effect to their legal emissions reductions and climate change obligations. With such an irrefutable finding, if the Minns Labor Government does in fact approve any new coal expansions, they will likely expose themselves to further liability in the Courts,”
“This Coal Spotlight Report also has direct implications on the Government’s promised updated Strategic Statement on Coal Exploration and Mining in NSW, which was first released by former Deputy Premier National Party’s John Barilario. Anything less than a statement about the winding down and phasing out of coal in NSW and that no new coal can be approved would be inconsistent with the findings of the Net Zero Commission and contrary to law,”
“The Net Zero Commission have been crystal clear that we must better require the abatement of existing emissions from coal, stop approving new coal, and start considering climate impacts more closely in our planning system,”
“Now is the time for all coal proponents and corporations to take responsibility and withdraw and not pursue any coal expansion development applications. The Minns Labor Government and those coal corporations need to work harder and faster on justly transitioning the coal workforce and transitioning NSW to a clean, distributed renewable electricity network with as much of a publicly-owned component as possible,” Ms Higginson said.