Coal sector may threaten Australia's emissions targets

Significance

Sited in Queensland and New South Wales, the four mines will collectively release some 1,250 million tonnes of carbon over their lifetimes, raising doubts about the Albanese government’s ability to balance coal sector interests with climate change concerns.

Impacts

• Trade allies are pressing Australia, the world’s third-largest coal exporter, not to restrict investment in new coal mines.
• More efficient energy usage, particularly a high take-up of solar energy, is cutting power consumption and carbon emissions.
• The government acknowledges that more needs to be done to build resilience against the consequences of climate change.