Hunter Valley community group wins landmark high court climate change case
Summary
Australia’s highest court ruled in favor of a community group against a coal company’s plan to expand a mine in New South Wales. The court said the state planning body must consider how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by burning the coal overseas.Key Facts
- The High Court of Australia upheld a decision blocking MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant coal mine expansion.
- The expansion would double coal output to 21 million tonnes per year until 2048.
- Most emissions related to the mine (98%) are from Scope 3 emissions, meaning pollution from burning the coal abroad.
- The court ruled the state planning commission did not properly consider or try to limit these emissions.
- The community group Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group (DAMSHEG) brought the case.
- This is Australia’s first High Court case involving climate change impacts on fossil fuel projects.
- The ruling sets a national precedent requiring full consideration of climate impacts in mine approvals.
- The case has been ongoing for more than four years, beginning in lower courts.
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