Wallabies backrower David Pocock in call to stop new coal mines

WALLABIES backrower David Pocock is preparing for battle in the Rugby World Cup final. But he’s got another fight on his hands.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: David Pocock of Australia celebrates by giving the thumbs up to the fans after winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between Argentina and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on October 25, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

AS WALLABIES backrower David Pocock prepares for one of his greatest sporting battles in the Rugby World Cup final, he’s throwing his weight behind another fight closer to home.

Pocock is among 61 prominent Australians calling for a stop to new coal mines in an open letter ahead of December’s United Nations climate change conference in Paris.

Joining him in urging world leaders to put coal exports on the summit agenda are former RBA governor Bernie Fraser, comedian Adam Spencer and Nobel prize winner Peter Doherty.

The letter urges leaders to “negotiate a global moratorium on new coal mines and coal mine expansions”.

It backs a call from Kiribati President Anote Tong and other Pacific Island nations at risk of rising sea levels.

Executive director of The Australia Institute Ben Oquist said Australians were increasingly realising the case for new coal mines failed environmentally and economically.

“This is a powerful statement,” he said.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will attend the Paris talks, while his Labor counterpart Bill Shorten will lead a team to Pacific Island nations next week to discuss the risk of rising sea levels.

Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target is a 26 to 28 per cent cut on 2005 levels which has been criticised for being at the back of the global pack.