Australia Approves Expansion of Four Coal Mines

The Australian government has faced significant backlash after approving expansions for four coal mines—Boggabri, Caval Ridge Horse Pit, Lake Vermont Meadowbrook, and Vulcan South—while claiming no new mines were approved in 2024. These expansions are projected to release over 850 million tonnes of CO2, prompting island nations like Tuvalu to call it a 'death sentence' and accusing Australia of betraying global climate commitments. Critics, including climate activists and Pacific leaders, argue that the expansions undermine Australia's credibility in hosting the 2026 UN climate talks, as they emit far more carbon than the Pacific nations produce in a year. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek defended the approvals by stating they would support 3,000 jobs and are essential for steel production, while also asserting the projects comply with Australia's net zero commitment by 2050. However, the emissions from burning the coal will predominantly occur overseas, evading Australia's climate accounting. This decision marks the seventh coal mine expansion approved in under three months, raising concerns about the government's commitment to climate action.