Court blocks Australian coal mine expansion over climate risks
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
In Australia, the Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group Inc. (DAMS HEG) successfully challenged the approval of MACH Energy’s Mt Pleasant coal mine expansion in New South Wales.
The High Court ruled that the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission failed to properly assess how burning the mine’s coal could increase local risks from extreme weather events like bushfires, droughts, flooding, and heatwaves.
The court determined planners needed to consider the mine’s downstream emissions, those created when the coal is burned, and their potential impact on the Hunter region. The expansion would have nearly doubled the mine’s annual coal production, increasing it from 10.5 million to 406 million metric tonnes over 22 years, with the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions coming from the eventual burning of the exported coal.
Evidence presented to the court showed the Hunter region could experience warmer temperatures and more frequent extreme weather if the expansion proceeded. Following the ruling, the project must return for a new assessment focused on local climate impacts. New South Wales resources minister Courtney Houssos stated the government will review the judgment, while MACH Energy plans to explore options for the project.
DAMS HEG treasurer Tony Lonergan believes the decision sets a precedent, requiring planning authorities across Australia to seriously consider climate change in future project approvals.
