Government reacts to coal mine rejections backlash by looking at scope three emissions rules
The Premier’s office and three senior ministers are discussing how to regulate when “scope three” emissions are factored into mine approvals in a bid to stop more jobs being lost in NSW due to overseas coal use.
NSW
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Restrictions are in line for green planning rules used in NSW to block mines based on emissions created when their coal is sold and burnt overseas.
The Daily Telegraph has learnt Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s office has held conversations with three senior ministers about their ideas on regulating how and when “scope three” emissions are factored into mine approvals and other projects in a major win for the industry.
It can also be revealed the government is drafting a clear policy position to ensure state planning decisions and mine approvals do not try to regulate where coal can and cannot be exported.
It follows massive industry backlash after the Independent Planning Commission cited emissions in Korea as a reason for rejecting the multimillion-dollar Kepco Bylong Valley coal mine.
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Before the Bylong Valley decision, the Independent Planning Commission also invoked scope three emissions when it ordered that the United Wambo open cut coal mine in the Hunter Valley could only export its coal to countries that have signed the Paris Agreement.
It is understood Planning Minister Rob Stokes, Environment Minister Matt Kean and Deputy Premier John Barilaro are all willing to legislate clear guidelines which would define precisely how scope three emissions can be considered in planning approvals.
All ministers agree that the government needs to provide certainty to the mining industry rather than letting the independent Planning Commission inject its own climate zeal into decisions by choosing when to invoke the relevance of scope three emissions.
In addition, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is preparing guidelines for the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions.
Mark Latham asked the government in a question on notice if it had constitutional power to direct the international trade of coal and was advised this week in a written answer that the government was working on a “clear policy position that development consent conditions should not seek to regulate, directly or indirectly matters of international trade”.
NSW Minerals Council chief Stephen Galilee said he would welcome “any progress” on the scope three issue.
“But this problem is symptomatic of wider problems with the planning system and the Independent Planning Commission which need to be addressed,” he said.
“We’ve been warning government about the scope three concerns for some time because it’s significant to industry and investment in jobs in NSW.” It comes as the government is being targeted in an extraordinary attack ad campaign by the mining industry over its failure to support jobs and investment via mining approvals.