Lock the Gate Alliance welcomes the NSW Minns Government’s plans to create a Net Zero Commission but remains sceptical it will prevent the massive expansion of coal projects planned for the state.
The legislation, introduced to NSW Parliament today, also enshrines the government’s emissions reduction targets of 50% by 2030 and net zero by 2050 in law.
Lock the Gate Alliance NSW Coordinator Nic Clyde said while this was a step in the right direction, it was disappointing the commission would be unable to directly recommend the rejection of new fossil fuel projects on climate grounds.
“There are, right now, at least 10 new coal projects going through the assessment process. (See below table) Collectively, they would be responsible for almost 2 billion tonnes of greenhouse pollution - more than 14 times the state’s total annual emissions,” Mr Clyde said.
“While the legislation introduced today is a good start, it is sadly inadequate to protect NSW communities from the ravages of climate chaos given the pipeline of new coal projects likely to be approved.
"The new law - as proposed - is likely to allow new coal expansions at a time when fugitive emissions from coal mining in NSW are the only sector forecasting an increase in emissions in NSW this decade."
“The Minns Government should make coal project approvals subject to the Net Zero Commission advice as well as repealing the pro-coal policies put in place by the former Coalition Government.
“Otherwise, it’s very likely that decision makers will continue to prioritise the approval of polluting coal mines over NSW communities who are left to deal with the ravages of extreme weather fuelled by climate change.”
ENDS
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Coal mine expansions currently proposed in NSW
|
Project |
Total GHGs (lifetime) Mt CO2~e* |
Seeking approval until |
Additional ROM coal proposed (Mt) |
|
1202.02 |
25 yrs (2025 - 2050) |
400 |
|
|
247.68 |
9 years (2034-2043) |
126 |
|
|
151.54 |
4 yrs (2026 - 2030) |
88 |
|
|
76.86 |
14 yrs (2036-2049) |
63.5 |
|
|
86.59 |
10 yrs (2025-2034) |
40 |
|
|
62.84 |
3 yrs (2033 - 2036) |
28.1 |
|
|
64.97 |
2 yrs (2033-2035) |
27.5 |
|
|
65.36 |
2037 |
25.9 |
|
|
25.35 |
2 yrs (2027-2029) |
9.5 |
|
|
N/A |
18 yrs (2024-2042 |
8.5 |
|
|
TOTALS |
1983.22 |
|
817 |
Estimates from company planning documents where available, and elsewhere estimated based on saleable coal to ROM coal ratios from the mines multiplied by the relevant national greenhouse accounts factor.