2026-05-27
The Net Zero Commission has told an inquiry today that the Minns Labor Government’s plans to expand existing coal mines - released 19 March 2026 is inconsistent with the Commission’s independent advice, NSW laws to reduce emissions, and the Paris Agreement to reduce global emissions.
Greens MP and spokesperson for Climate Change Sue Higginson said “The Minns Labor Government committed to legally binding emissions reductions targets when they came to power, but their continued support for more coal in NSW is against their own laws and flies in the face of expert and international advice,”
“The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has advised that States have an obligation to protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions, and the United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution affirming that advice. The Australian Government supported this position, but here in NSW the Minns Labor Government isn’t listening to the law or the science,”
“Concerningly, NSW Resources have apparently not even considered the advice of the ICJ, leaving Australia internationally exposed and liable for the making of reparations if we act inconsistently with the international objective of reducing emissions,”
“The Net Zero Commission was established by the Minns Labor Government as an independent advisory body, so we rightly expect the Government to act in accordance with the Commission’s advice, as well as their own laws and international obligations,”
“Glencore’s proposed Hunter Valley Operations expansion is one of the biggest and most controversial coal projects under consideration in NSW, it single-handedly threatens NSW emissions targets. Given the inconsistencies now evidenced in the planning and regulatory framework surrounding coal approvals, I believe the system would benefit from the Commission providing advice to the Independent Planning Commission, as they are able to do under the climate laws of NSW,”
“There have already been 10 coal expansions under the Minns Labor Government, with two approved just in the last six months. With another 16 projects still coming down the planning pipeline, it’s time for the Minns Labor Government to decide if they will continue to recklessly hand out coal approvals or be a responsible Government and work within the law to bring our emissions down,” Ms Higginson said.