Matt Kean questions Hunter coal mine approval over climate costs
Hunter Valley coal mine approved until 2045 is forecast to produce 809 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
NSW's Independent Planning Commission has approved the Hunter Valley Operations coal mine to run until 2045, the largest coal development project in the state's history. The mine's owners, Yancoal and Glencore, forecast it will produce 809 million tonnes of carbon dioxide when the coal is exported and burned overseas.
That is nearly double Australia's annual greenhouse gas emissions. Matt Kean, chair of the Albanese government's Climate Change Authority and a former NSW treasurer, says the planning commission acknowledged the project would contribute to climate change but failed to calculate the economic cost of that damage to NSW.
He points to evidence showing climate-related disasters could cost Australians at least 73 billion dollars annually by 2060. NSW Premier Chris Minns called the approval "hugely important" for jobs and government royalties.
The project still requires federal environmental approval before the end of 2026.
- 809 million tonnes of CO2
- Forecast carbon emissions
- At least 73 billion dollars
- Annual climate disaster cost by 2060
- Yancoal and Glencore
- Mine operators
- Until 2045
- Operating period approved
Why it mattersHighlights the conflict between climate targets and fossil fuel economics, with major emissions implications for Australia's carbon goals.
AustraliaAffects Australia's path toward climate commitments and may complicate federal negotiations at the COP31 summit next month.
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