Australia’s decision to expand four coal mines has been condemned by island nations as a “death sentence” and a betrayal of global climate action.
Anthony Albanese’s government on Thursday approved extensions and expansions for the Bogabri Mine, Cabal Ridge Horse Pit, Vermont Lake Meadowbrook Mine and Vulcan South Mine.
Analysts said these mines could emit more than 850 million tonnes of CO2 over their lifetime, equivalent to twice Australia’s annual emissions.
“To be clear, if major powers continue to launch new fossil fuel projects, it is a death sentence for us,” Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo said.
This is the seventh coal mine expansion approved by the Albanon government within 90 days. Coal mine expansion continues even as Australia, on behalf of island nations, is pushing to host the Cop31 climate change summit in 2026.
“As the country intends to co-host COP31, the United Nations climate change talks in 2026, the continued expansion of coal and gas risks jeopardizing regional relationships and Australia’s legitimacy as a climate leader. ,” said Rev. James Bhagwan, general secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches. , said.
Joseph Sikuru, Pacific managing director of advocacy group 350.org, accused the Albanian government of hypocrisy, adding that emissions from these projects would dwarf the Pacific region’s emissions.
“These mines will emit 7.5 times more carbon than the entire Pacific island nation produces in a year,” he said. “This makes a mockery of the ‘family’ Australia claims to be the Pacific Ocean.”
Activists from island nations in the region accused Australia of betrayal. “Pacific leaders are demanding climate action and an end to new fossil fuels, but the Albanon government is siding with coal billionaires,” said Rufino Vallea, regional director of the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network. , fueling a crisis that threatens our survival.” “Australia cannot dig its own grave and claim to be an ally in the Pacific. No new coal means there are no excuses. If Australia refuses to lead, it is not entitled to co-host Cop31. do not have.”
The decision drew harsh criticism from Australia’s opposition parties. Green Party leader Adam Bunt called it “despicable” and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young described it as “like giving away coal for Christmas”.
“This is the ultimate Christmas Eve dump,” the senator said. “Approving coal mining in koala habitat is an abomination. Approving further coal mining during the climate crisis should be illegal.”
The government downplayed the decision, saying the project was “an extension of all existing operations” that drilled coal to make steel essential for “homes, bridges, railways, wind farms and solar panels.” did.
“There are currently no viable renewable alternatives to steel production,” Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said, according to the paper. guardian.
independent person has contacted Australia’s Department of Climate Change for comment.
The decision was criticized not only by island nations but also by Australian climate analysts. Chris Wright, climate strategy advisor at Ember, said the government was putting its own emissions reduction targets at risk.
“The Albanon government is roaring towards the emissions cliff and has just stepped on the accelerator to approve a super-emitting coal mine that could become one of the country’s gasiest by 2030. ” he said.
“On the one hand, we are racing to build renewable energy per capita faster than any other country; on the other hand, we are racing to approve more coal mines faster than any other We are competing with each other.”
Ember’s analysis shows that the expansion of the Vermont Lake Meadowbrook underground coal mine could emit the equivalent of an additional 3 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030, an increase from Australia’s primary emissions mechanism, Safeguards. This represents nearly 6 per cent of Australia’s remaining emissions budget to 2030 under the mechanism. reduction.
“The safeguard mechanism is not going to survive in many of these super-emitting coal mines, and that’s before the coal is shipped overseas and burned,” Wright said.
