With the conclusion of the Queensland Land Court case relating to Adani’s proposed Carmichael mine the Palaszczuk Government now faces a stark choice: protect the Great Barrier Reef or approve the biggest coal mine in Australia.
“Just days after the historic Paris climate agreement was signed by 196 nations the Queensland Government faces a crucial test,” said Australian Conservation Foundation campaigner Basha Stasak.
“Today’s recommendation puts the ball back in the court of the Palaszczuk Government, which must now decide whether it will give the green light to a mine that will undo the climate pollution cuts of several nations.
“Research by Energy Resources Insights shows if the Carmichael mine goes ahead it will increase global climate pollution by more than the combined planned emissions cuts of Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Mexico and Canada between 2012 and 2025,” she said.
In a separate case in the Federal Court ACF is challenging environment minister Greg Hunt’s approval of the Carmichael project. ACF will argue the Minister did not consider whether the damage to the Great Barrier Reef resulting from burning the mine’s coal would be inconsistent with Australia’s obligation to protect the World Heritage site.
Last week in Paris the world-renowned coral reef biologist Ove Hoegh-Guldberg told the Australian government it could not open one of the world’s largest coal mines and continue to claim to be protecting the Great Barrier Reef.
“If it proceeds this would be the biggest coal mine ever dug in Australia,” Ms Stasak said.
“Australia’s Paris commitments and World Heritage responsibilities cannot be met if governments keep approving massive new coal mines – Adani’s Carmichael project simply must not proceed,” she said.
