Advertising

Environment

Coal mining in Australia: NGO against the Minister for the Environment

Find out more about the Australian court ruling on coal mining and its implications for the environment and the economy.

Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Le 13 October 2023

Please share:

An Australian NGO’s case against Australia’s Minister for theEnvironment, Tanya Plibersek, has been dismissed by a Federal Court judge in Melbourne. The NGO accused the Minister of favoring continued coal mining at the expense of environmental protection. The Central Queensland Environment Council had asked the Minister to intervene to ban the extension of coal mining to two sites, arguing that the mining sector was contributing to global warming and having a “significant impact” on environmental treasures such as the Great Barrier Reef.

The NGO’s arguments

According to the NGO, the Minister should have re-examined applications to extend or open coal mines, taking into account expert and scientific evidence on climate risks. However, Justice Shaun McElwaine dismissed the motion, stating that the Minister of the Environment was “not obliged to reason” in the same way as the plaintiff.

Environmental and economic challenges

In particular, the NGO was challenging applications to extend coal mining until the 2040s at two sites in the state of New South Wales owned by MACH Energy and Narrabri Coal Operations, which are in the final stages of approval at state and federal level.

NGO president Christine Carlisle said she was “bitterly disappointed” by the decision. She said, “These mining companies may be celebrating tonight, but no responsible government can call this a victory. It’s terrible for all of us.”

Australia’s Carbon Emission Reduction Targets

Australia is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 43% from 2005 levels by 2030, with a view to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. However, the center-left Labor government has refused to rule out the authorization of new coal mines in a country that is one of the world’s biggest ore exporters.

The Australian court ruling on coal mining is a matter of crucial financial and environmental importance. However, environmental protection and the fight against climate change remain major challenges, and this decision underlines the importance of striking a balance between economic interests and the preservation of our planet.

Advertising

Recently published in Environment

Environment

Think Pink trial: A key issue for toxic waste management in Sweden

The Think Pink trial opens in Sweden. The company and its executives are accused of serious violations of toxic waste management standards, impacting the waste management industry.

Environment

Drax sanctioned for inaccurate environmental data by Ofgem

Ofgem imposes a £25 million penalty on Drax for inaccurate information on the sustainability of the biomass used in its power plants.

Environment

Drax sanctioned for inaccurate environmental data by Ofgem

Ofgem imposes a £25 million penalty on Drax for inaccurate information on the sustainability of the biomass used in its power plants.

Environment

Trinidad and Tobago: Armed intrusion around the wreck of the Gulfstream tanker

The wreck of the oil tanker *Gulfstream* in Trinidad and Tobago, refloated after a major oil spill, is at the heart of security tensions, with attempted intrusions leading to exchanges of fire.

Environment

Trinidad and Tobago: Armed intrusion around the wreck of the Gulfstream tanker

The wreck of the oil tanker *Gulfstream* in Trinidad and Tobago, refloated after a major oil spill, is at the heart of security tensions, with attempted intrusions leading to exchanges of fire.

Environment

Ecuador: Complexities surrounding the closure of Block 43 in Yasuni Park

Ecuador is embarking on a delicate transition to stop extracting oil from Block 43, in response to the 2023 referendum, in the face of major economic and logistical challenges.

Environment

Ecuador: Complexities surrounding the closure of Block 43 in Yasuni Park

Ecuador is embarking on a delicate transition to stop extracting oil from Block 43, in response to the 2023 referendum, in the face of major economic and logistical challenges.

Environment

TotalEnergies accused of greenwashing by South African regulator

South Africa's Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has sanctioned TotalEnergies for misleading claims in an advertising campaign highlighting its environmental commitment.

Environment

Oil spill in Venezuela: The El Palito refinery is once again to blame

A significant oil spill is paralyzing fishing and tourism on Venezuela's northwest coast, exacerbating the challenges already facing the country's energy sector.

Environment

Oil spill in Venezuela: The El Palito refinery is once again to blame

A significant oil spill is paralyzing fishing and tourism on Venezuela's northwest coast, exacerbating the challenges already facing the country's energy sector.

Environment

Argentine lithium: mining growth under environmental strain

Lithium mining in Argentina, a key driver of the global energy transition, generates economic opportunities while posing serious environmental and social challenges for local communities.

Environment

Argentine lithium: mining growth under environmental strain

Lithium mining in Argentina, a key driver of the global energy transition, generates economic opportunities while posing serious environmental and social challenges for local communities.

Environment

Citigroup under pressure to stop financing fossil fuels

NGOs are stepping up their campaign against Citigroup, denouncing its continued financing of fossil fuel projects in the midst of a climate emergency.

Environment

Citigroup under pressure to stop financing fossil fuels

NGOs are stepping up their campaign against Citigroup, denouncing its continued financing of fossil fuel projects in the midst of a climate emergency.

Environment

Increased risk of “mega-earthquake” in Japan after magnitude 7.1 quake

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake in southern Japan prompted the immediate mobilization of the authorities and the suspension of a diplomatic trip by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in view of the risk of a "mega-earthquake".

Environment

Record Pollution Fine: Caspiy Neft Penalized in Kazakhstan

Kazakh authorities impose a fine of 26.6 million euros on Caspiy Neft for environmental violations, marking a rare severity in this sector.

Environment

Record Pollution Fine: Caspiy Neft Penalized in Kazakhstan

Kazakh authorities impose a fine of 26.6 million euros on Caspiy Neft for environmental violations, marking a rare severity in this sector.

Environment

Kurdistan closes 138 illegal refineries to limit pollution

The Kurdish authorities are closing 138 illegal refineries and imposing strict standards on the others to combat pollution in Erbil.

Environment

Kurdistan closes 138 illegal refineries to limit pollution

The Kurdish authorities are closing 138 illegal refineries and imposing strict standards on the others to combat pollution in Erbil.

Environment

Carbon neutrality: an unavoidable priority for planetary stability

Researchers warn of the risks of exceeding critical climate thresholds. Achieving carbon neutrality by 2100 is essential to avoid irreversible disruption.

Environment

Carbon neutrality: an unavoidable priority for planetary stability

Researchers warn of the risks of exceeding critical climate thresholds. Achieving carbon neutrality by 2100 is essential to avoid irreversible disruption.

Environment

Australia bans mining of Jabiluka uranium deposit

Australia bans mining of the Jabiluka uranium deposit, reinforcing the protection of Aboriginal sites and respecting the demands of the Mirrar people.

Environment

Philippines: Siphoning of oil tanker Coulé postponed

The Philippines delay the pumping of hydrocarbons from the MT Terra Nova, accentuating the ecological risks. The leaks must be plugged before the 1.4 million liters of hydrocarbons can be siphoned off.

Environment

Philippines: Siphoning of oil tanker Coulé postponed

Environment

Iraq: Demonstrations for water and electricity in the middle of a heatwave

Hundreds of Iraqis demonstrate against load shedding and water shortages in the midst of a summer heatwave, underlining the urgent need for energy and water reforms in a country with a failing infrastructure.

Environment

Iraq: Demonstrations for water and electricity in the middle of a heatwave

Environment

Towards New Protections Against Drilling in Alaska

The Biden administration is considering expanding protected areas against oil drilling in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve (NPR-A), in response to growing environmental concerns.

Environment

Towards New Protections Against Drilling in Alaska

The Biden administration is considering expanding protected areas against oil drilling in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve (NPR-A), in response to growing environmental concerns.

Environment

USA: nearly 1 million homes without power after Hurricane Beryl

Hurricane Beryl has left almost a million homes without power in Texas since July 8. Despite restoration efforts, some 450,000 customers are still without power.

Environment

California faces unprecedented heat wave

California is experiencing an intense heat wave, increasing energy demand and requiring conservation measures.

Environment

California faces unprecedented heat wave

California is experiencing an intense heat wave, increasing energy demand and requiring conservation measures.

Environment

Storm Beryl: Flooding and Power Outages in Texas

Storm Beryl hit Texas, causing flooding and massive power outages. Five people lost their lives, thousands are without power, and the Houston area is severely affected.

Environment

Storm Beryl: Flooding and Power Outages in Texas

Storm Beryl hit Texas, causing flooding and massive power outages. Five people lost their lives, thousands are without power, and the Houston area is severely affected.

Environment

Alberta: Forest fires threaten Suncor’s operations

Forest fires in Alberta continue to ravage the area around Suncor Energy's oil sands site, disrupting production. Local authorities and the company take steps to protect infrastructure and employees.

Environment

Alberta: Forest fires threaten Suncor’s operations

Forest fires in Alberta continue to ravage the area around Suncor Energy's oil sands site, disrupting production. Local authorities and the company take steps to protect infrastructure and employees.

Environment

France records a 5.3% drop in GHG emissions in Q1 2024

Greenhouse gas emissions in France continue to fall, recording a 5.3% drop in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023, according to Citepa. This trend confirms the momentum observed in 2023.

Environment

Egypt: Power cuts exasperate the population in the middle of a heatwave

Frequent and prolonged power cuts are making daily life worse for Egyptians in the sweltering heat. Infrastructure, electrical appliances and even people's health suffer.

Environment

Egypt: Power cuts exasperate the population in the middle of a heatwave

Frequent and prolonged power cuts are making daily life worse for Egyptians in the sweltering heat. Infrastructure, electrical appliances and even people's health suffer.

Environment

New oil leak in Ecuador’s Napo River

An oil leak of undetermined extent has contaminated the Napo River, a major tributary of the Amazon, impacting local communities, according to Petroecuador.

Environment

New oil leak in Ecuador’s Napo River

An oil leak of undetermined extent has contaminated the Napo River, a major tributary of the Amazon, impacting local communities, according to Petroecuador.

Environment

Climate Pressure, 80% of the World’s Population Demands Action

An international survey reveals that 80% of the world's population is calling for stricter climate measures from governments, a demand that is growing particularly in poorer countries.

Environment

Climate Pressure, 80% of the World’s Population Demands Action

An international survey reveals that 80% of the world's population is calling for stricter climate measures from governments, a demand that is growing particularly in poorer countries.