Coal Policy Summary

No new mines: save jobs & climate

As coal mining has become increasingly mechanised and capital intensive, the number of jobs has massively declined. Coal mining now accounts for less than 3% of all employment in the Hunter Valley. This stands in stark contrast to the enormous employment potential of renewable energy, energy efficiency and public transport.
Coal mined in NSW is a significant contributor to dangerous climate change. The burning of coal accounts for approximately 30% of Australia’s emissions. Export coal adds more than 600 million tonnes of CO2 per year, more than all the greenhouse gases released within Australia.
Coal mining also results in irreparable damage to the areas around mines, including:

• destroying the social and economic viability of communities, and limiting other wealth and employment generating activities, such as farming and tourism; and
• damaging ecosystems, rivers and the geological integrity of landscapes while consuming massive amounts of fresh water.

Government levies charged on coal do not make a substantial net contribution to tax revenue because the industry receives massive subsidies.

The Greens NSW are committed to phasing out the coal industry and a fair transition to a jobsrich, clean energy economy.

The Greens will work to:

• stop the development of new coal mines and the expansion of existing coal mines and coal handling infrastructure. The Greens do not support the closure of existing mines;
• improve the mine development assessment process to take full account of all social and environmental impacts;
• transform the electricity industry to renewable energy and energy efficiency;
• ensure that the operations of existing coal mines conform to the world’s best practices in industrial relations, occupational health and safety and environmental protection;
• provide just transitions for communities that have traditionally derived income and jobs from coal mining operations;
• phase out of all subsidies to coal mining and impose levies on coal mines to pay for just transitions, mine rehabilitation and Investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency; and
• expose "clean coal" and carbon capture and storage as dangerous myths that distract from the urgent task of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.