Australia Knocks Back Major Coal Project Near Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s new government rejected plans for a major coal project near the Great Barrier Reef, marking a sharp change in policy in one of the biggest exporters of the polluting fossil fuel.
Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said Thursday that she intended to not approve mining tycoon Clive Palmer’s Central Queensland Coal project due to the likelihood of “unacceptable impacts” on the world heritage site. It’s the first time an Australian minister has refused a coal mine under the country’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, her office said.
The announcement comes on the same day Australia’s lower house of parliament passed legislation to cut the country’s emissions by 43% from 2005 levels by 2030 in a major policy victory for the Labor government that came to power in May after a climate-focused election. There is a 10-day period of public comment on the decision and the proponents of the mine were contacted, Pilbersek said.
Central Queensland Coal didn’t immediately respond to a phone call and email for comment.
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