I am very concerned about the legislation being introduced by the NSW Government that would stop overseas greenhouse gas emissions from export coal being considered when courts are approving new mines.
smh.com.au/politics/nsw/n…
smh.com.au/politics/nsw/n…
It is a backward step that ignores our shared responsibility for reducing global emissions. I fear this could stymie the NSW justice system and our Independent Planning Commission, because it will remove responsibility for emissions from Australian coal that is burnt overseas.
How can the Government maintain its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 if it caves to the pressure of the Minerals Council and other vested interests?
When I was at the C40 Women4Climate Conference in Paris this year, I spoke to mayors from cities around the world who were celebrating the momentous decision from the NSW Land and Environment Court to stop a proposed coal mine in Gloucester.
It was heralded as a recognition that climate change doesn’t stop at national borders. We all have a shared responsibility to meet international climate obligations. The proposed laws would override the courts, and say that we don’t care about the impact of global emissions.
People elect governments to lead for all of us, not bow to vested and powerful interests for short term private gain. At a time when our State is 90% in drought, shouldn’t the National Party address the root causes of climate change, not force through the approval of coal mines?
