The mining and burning of coal is the number one driver of dangerous climate change – and in 2022 the world's coal consumption is still rising.
Australia, along with Indonesia, is the world’s largest exporter of coal. The coal lobby claims that Australia is only responsible for a small amount of the world's emissions. The truth is, when you account for all the coal and gas we dig up and send overseas, Australia is responsible for 5% of global emissions.
In fact, export coal is Australia’s single biggest contribution to the global climate crisis. The greenhouse gas emissions from coal that is mined in Australia and burned overseas are nearly double Australia’s domestic emissions from other sources, including transport, electricity generation, and agriculture.
For a 50% chance of keeping global warming to safer levels below 1.5°C, scientists say that 95% of Australia's known coal reserves must stay in the ground.
The science is unequivocal. For any chance at preserving a safe climate, Australia must stop all coal expansion immediately and phase out coal by 2030.
