Activists wearing only cardboard boxes bearing the slogan ‘Better this than PFC gear’ highlighted the company’s use of dangerous chemicals called poly- and per-fluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in The North Face products. Hi-res photographs available here.

 Greenpeace campaigner Lagi Toribau said: “We looked for North Face waterproof products that don’t pollute the environment but couldn’t find any, so we made do with these boxes.

 “We’re all lovers of the outdoors, and it’s awful to think that by pitching a tent or wearing a jacket made by The North Face, you can be contributing to pollution.

“A company that claims to love the outdoors so much must play their part in protecting it – not polluting it with hazardous chemicals which contaminate even the most remote parts of the world and have been found in water supplies and the food chain.

“As a leading brand, The North Face can help lead the way in cleaning up outdoor clothing by eliminating dangerous chemicals from their products.”

Greenpeace activists targeted three stores: In Sydney, activists hit The North Face’s flagship Pitt Street store in Sydney and another The North Face store in Westfield in Bondi Junction. In Melbourne, activists targeted The North Face store in Bourke Street.

The demonstrations are a part of more than 100 actions taking place at The North Face and Mammut stores around the world this week after Greenpeace revealed that the companies widely use hazardous per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in their products.

As reported widely last week, per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) were recently found to be widespread in the use of outdoor products1. PFCs are synthetic chemical compounds which have been found to pollute even the most pristine and remote parts of the environment2, and have been detected in water supplies, the food chain and human blood. They are associated with cancer and have been found to cause harm to reproductive and hormonal systems. Last year more than 200 scientists from 38 countries signed the Madrid statement3 recommending avoiding PFCs in consumer goods.

“While the Great Barrier Reef is suffering from the impacts of mining and burning coal, now is the time to ensure Australia is assessing the damage caused by our coal and we strongly welcome this case,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific reef campaigner Shani Tager.

In a previous appeal, the company argued that coal burned from the proposed mine would not increase global emissions and thus have no impact on climate change.

“Australia is responsible for the carbon emissions from our coal,” said Tager. “The government’s argument simply doesn’t pass the pub test – it doesn’t matter where it is burned, this coal will have the same impact on the climate and on the Great Barrier Reef.

“The Australian government has committed to global target to limit global warming to 2C and the Queensland Government has stated the importance of dealing with climate change for the future of the reef. The science is crystal clear – in order to do this more than 90% of coal has to stay in the ground.”

Australian coal exports will this year produce 1bn tonnes of CO2 – almost twice as much as the country’s domestic emissions. Australia’s CO2 exports through coal have increased by a massive 253% since 1990.[1]

Tager added: “We’re seeing the world move away from coal with Chinese and Indian coal imports continuing to drop. Now is the time for our governments to stop backing an industry with a shrinking market and disastrous consequences on our climate and Great Barrier Reef.”

Greenpeace’s ‘Exporting climate change, killing the Reef’ briefing comes as Australia’s World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef undergoes its worst coral bleaching in history, with almost the entire Reef experiencing some level of bleaching [1] due to warming waters, and as the country prepares to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change at the end of the week.

“The Australian Government wants us to believe it is proactive about climate change, but in reality it’s sending its emissions overseas through its coal exports,” said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s climate and reef campaigner.

“Australia is the world’s largest coal exporter [2] and is avoiding responsibility for its contribution to global carbon emissions. By doing so, the Australian Government is ignoring the most serious threat to the Reef—climate change.

“This isn’t a future threat, it’s one that is playing out right now before our eyes, with coral bleaching on 93 percent of the Great Barrier Reef, and severe bleaching on the most pristine northern parts.

"The Australian Government cannot say it is safeguarding the health of the Reef when it is doing everything it can to avoid tackling the greatest threat it faces, which is coal-driven climate change,” said Ms Tager.

In addition to not reducing Australia’s domestic CO​2 ​emissions since 1990,  coal export volumes have more than tripled in the same period to 400 million tonnes per annum.

With every Australian tonne of coal emitting 2.5 tonnes of CO​2 on average wherever it is used, this means Australia’s CO​2​ exports through coal have increased by a massive 253% since ​1990, the Greenpeace briefing shows.

“Australia’s climate change response and its signature on the Paris Agreement simply won’t be credible as long as it sends more carbon emissions abroad than it saves at home, and pushes its coal exports.

“The future of the Great Barrier Reef is at stake. It’s time for the Australian Government to be ratifying the Paris Agreement and speeding up their response to climate change, including a commitment that no new coal mines be dug and for coal exports to be phased out,” she said.

ENDS

[1] “Only 7 percent of the Great Barrier Reef has avoided coral bleaching”, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, April 2016.

[2]Coal Medium-Term Market Report 2015, p.16, International Energy Agency.

Downlaod full PDF Version: 'Exporting climate change, killing the Reef'

Exporting Climate Change & Killing the Reef by Greenpeace Australia Pacific

Nikola Casule, Greenpeace’s Climate campaigner said:

“Tahmoor’s closure is one of the strongest market signals yet that coal is on the way out, and it’s been sent by Glencore itself, the world’s largest coal exporting company.

“The Coalition and Labor parties should wake up to themselves and heed this searing reality check. There is simply no growth to be had from the coal market, where prices are collapsing globally and with no chance of recovery.

“That Glencore is closing this mine - rather its favoured practice of cutting staff and production - shows how little appetite there is to buy into the coal industry, let alone expand it.

“Not only that, this closure shows how little substance there is to traditional party claims there is still strong demand for metallurgical coal, which is used in steel making and is what Tahmoor produced.

“Worst of all, Glencore is failing to implement a transition plan for the 350 coal mine workers at Tahmoor, who will be left stranded by this closure.

“Both major parties are failing Australians by refusing to acknowledge they have a responsibility to create a transition plan for coal workers and by ignoring the potential for an economy based on renewable energy.”

ENDS

“Prime Minister Turnbull’s announcement fails to include any new money for the Great Barrier Reef. It doesn’t address climate change and the mining and burning of coal which are the biggest threats to the future of the reef.

“The money announced today has already been promised to renewable energy. Today’s announcement isn’t going to lead to any additional renewable energy projects being built and we know that for a healthy reef we need a rapid increase in new renewable projects being built and a phase out of coal mining.

“This is Turnbull trying to look like he’s doing something for the Great Barrier Reef while standing on the spot. This is simply not good enough when the reef is suffering from its worst coral bleaching in history.

“In addition to being home to thousands of fish and other marine life, the Great Barrier Reef supports almost 70,000 jobs in Queensland and it’s troubling that neither major party are prepared to take the necessary steps to protect this incredible place.”

Greenpeace Australia Pacific is calling on the parties to take to the election a credible plan to phase out coal mining and a just transition to sustainable jobs in technology and renewable energy.

“While the Great Barrier Reef is suffering from the impacts of mining and burning coal, now is the time to ensure Australia is assessing the damage caused by our coal and we strongly welcome this case,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific reef campaigner Shani Tager.

In a previous appeal, the company argued that coal burned from the proposed mine would not increase global emissions and thus have no impact on climate change.

“Australia is responsible for the carbon emissions from our coal,” said Tager. “The government’s argument simply doesn’t pass the pub test – it doesn’t matter where it is burned, this coal will have the same impact on the climate and on the Great Barrier Reef.

“The Australian government has committed to global target to limit global warming to 2C and the Queensland Government has stated the importance of dealing with climate change for the future of the reef. The science is crystal clear – in order to do this more than 90% of coal has to stay in the ground.”

Australian coal exports will this year produce 1bn tonnes of CO2 – almost twice as much as the country’s domestic emissions. Australia’s CO2 exports through coal have increased by a massive 253% since 1990.[1]

Tager added: “We’re seeing the world move away from coal with Chinese and Indian coal imports continuing to drop. Now is the time for our governments to stop backing an industry with a shrinking market and disastrous consequences on our climate and Great Barrier Reef.”

Nikola Casule, Greenpeace’s Climate campaigner said:

“Tahmoor’s closure is one of the strongest market signals yet that coal is on the way out, and it’s been sent by Glencore itself, the world’s largest coal exporting company.

“The Coalition and Labor parties should wake up to themselves and heed this searing reality check. There is simply no growth to be had from the coal market, where prices are collapsing globally and with no chance of recovery.

“That Glencore is closing this mine - rather its favoured practice of cutting staff and production - shows how little appetite there is to buy into the coal industry, let alone expand it.

“Not only that, this closure shows how little substance there is to traditional party claims there is still strong demand for metallurgical coal, which is used in steel making and is what Tahmoor produced.

“Worst of all, Glencore is failing to implement a transition plan for the 350 coal mine workers at Tahmoor, who will be left stranded by this closure.

“Both major parties are failing Australians by refusing to acknowledge they have a responsibility to create a transition plan for coal workers and by ignoring the potential for an economy based on renewable energy.”

ENDS

“Prime Minister Turnbull’s announcement fails to include any new money for the Great Barrier Reef. It doesn’t address climate change and the mining and burning of coal which are the biggest threats to the future of the reef.

“The money announced today has already been promised to renewable energy. Today’s announcement isn’t going to lead to any additional renewable energy projects being built and we know that for a healthy reef we need a rapid increase in new renewable projects being built and a phase out of coal mining.

“This is Turnbull trying to look like he’s doing something for the Great Barrier Reef while standing on the spot. This is simply not good enough when the reef is suffering from its worst coral bleaching in history.

“In addition to being home to thousands of fish and other marine life, the Great Barrier Reef supports almost 70,000 jobs in Queensland and it’s troubling that neither major party are prepared to take the necessary steps to protect this incredible place.”

Greenpeace Australia Pacific is calling on the parties to take to the election a credible plan to phase out coal mining and a just transition to sustainable jobs in technology and renewable energy.

Greenpeace activists placed more than 300 coral sculptures on the lawn last night to urge politicians to do more to protect the Great Barrier Reef from the impacts of climate change. A banner reading ‘Choose the reef, not coal’ was also displayed.

“We hope that by bringing the Great Barrier Reef to Canberra, politicians will be able to see first-hand what is at risk from their unwavering support for the coal mining industry,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific climate and energy campaigner Nikola Casule.

“Australia’s coal mining industry exports more than 1bn tonnes of carbon emissions each year. This contributes to increasing ocean temperatures which are killing the reef,” he added.

Polling conducted by ReachTEL for Greenpeace Australia Pacific on Monday 29 August and released today found that 69% of Australians polled agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “The Australian government should prioritise the interests of Australian communities and the environment over the interests of the coal mining industry.” [1]

Casule added: “Almost a quarter of the reef’s coral died this year. Australia can’t have both a healthy Great Barrier Reef and a coal industry. Our politicians have so far chosen coal, despite the fact Australians overwhelmingly want them to choose the reef.”

Greenpeace representatives will meet with new energy and environment minister Josh Frydenberg later this morning to hand over a petition signed by more than 30,000 people. The petition urges the government to choose the health of the reef over the coal industry by committing to a halt of new coal mine approvals and a plan to phase out existing coal mines in Australia.

Australia’s coal exports (1bn tonnes) dwarf Australia’s domestic carbon emissions (560m tonnes). Since 1990, Australia’s CO2 exports through coal have increased by 253%. [2]

Photographs

Hi-resolution photographs available for download here

References

[1] ReachTEL polling conducted for Greenpeace Australia Pacific on 30 August 2017 with a national sample of 1,804 people.

[2] Exporting climate change, killing the reef. Greenpeace, 2016. http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/en/what-we-do/climate/resources/reports/Exporting-climate-change-killing-the-Reef/

Greenpeace’s ‘Exporting climate change, killing the Reef’ briefing comes as Australia’s World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef undergoes its worst coral bleaching in history, with almost the entire Reef experiencing some level of bleaching [1] due to warming waters, and as the country prepares to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change at the end of the week.

“The Australian Government wants us to believe it is proactive about climate change, but in reality it’s sending its emissions overseas through its coal exports,” said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s climate and reef campaigner.

“Australia is the world’s largest coal exporter [2] and is avoiding responsibility for its contribution to global carbon emissions. By doing so, the Australian Government is ignoring the most serious threat to the Reef—climate change.

“This isn’t a future threat, it’s one that is playing out right now before our eyes, with coral bleaching on 93 percent of the Great Barrier Reef, and severe bleaching on the most pristine northern parts.

"The Australian Government cannot say it is safeguarding the health of the Reef when it is doing everything it can to avoid tackling the greatest threat it faces, which is coal-driven climate change,” said Ms Tager.

In addition to not reducing Australia’s domestic CO​2 ​emissions since 1990,  coal export volumes have more than tripled in the same period to 400 million tonnes per annum.

With every Australian tonne of coal emitting 2.5 tonnes of CO​2 on average wherever it is used, this means Australia’s CO​2​ exports through coal have increased by a massive 253% since ​1990, the Greenpeace briefing shows.

“Australia’s climate change response and its signature on the Paris Agreement simply won’t be credible as long as it sends more carbon emissions abroad than it saves at home, and pushes its coal exports.

“The future of the Great Barrier Reef is at stake. It’s time for the Australian Government to be ratifying the Paris Agreement and speeding up their response to climate change, including a commitment that no new coal mines be dug and for coal exports to be phased out,” she said.

ENDS

[1] “Only 7 percent of the Great Barrier Reef has avoided coral bleaching”, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, April 2016.

[2]Coal Medium-Term Market Report 2015, p.16, International Energy Agency.

Downlaod full PDF Version: 'Exporting climate change, killing the Reef'

Exporting Climate Change & Killing the Reef by Greenpeace Australia Pacific

Activists wearing only cardboard boxes bearing the slogan ‘Better this than PFC gear’ highlighted the company’s use of dangerous chemicals called poly- and per-fluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in The North Face products. Hi-res photographs available here.

 Greenpeace campaigner Lagi Toribau said: “We looked for North Face waterproof products that don’t pollute the environment but couldn’t find any, so we made do with these boxes.

 “We’re all lovers of the outdoors, and it’s awful to think that by pitching a tent or wearing a jacket made by The North Face, you can be contributing to pollution.

“A company that claims to love the outdoors so much must play their part in protecting it – not polluting it with hazardous chemicals which contaminate even the most remote parts of the world and have been found in water supplies and the food chain.

“As a leading brand, The North Face can help lead the way in cleaning up outdoor clothing by eliminating dangerous chemicals from their products.”

Greenpeace activists targeted three stores: In Sydney, activists hit The North Face’s flagship Pitt Street store in Sydney and another The North Face store in Westfield in Bondi Junction. In Melbourne, activists targeted The North Face store in Bourke Street.

The demonstrations are a part of more than 100 actions taking place at The North Face and Mammut stores around the world this week after Greenpeace revealed that the companies widely use hazardous per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in their products.

As reported widely last week, per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) were recently found to be widespread in the use of outdoor products1. PFCs are synthetic chemical compounds which have been found to pollute even the most pristine and remote parts of the environment2, and have been detected in water supplies, the food chain and human blood. They are associated with cancer and have been found to cause harm to reproductive and hormonal systems. Last year more than 200 scientists from 38 countries signed the Madrid statement3 recommending avoiding PFCs in consumer goods.

“While the Great Barrier Reef is suffering from the impacts of mining and burning coal, now is the time to ensure Australia is assessing the damage caused by our coal and we strongly welcome this case,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific reef campaigner Shani Tager.

In a previous appeal, the company argued that coal burned from the proposed mine would not increase global emissions and thus have no impact on climate change.

“Australia is responsible for the carbon emissions from our coal,” said Tager. “The government’s argument simply doesn’t pass the pub test – it doesn’t matter where it is burned, this coal will have the same impact on the climate and on the Great Barrier Reef.

“The Australian government has committed to global target to limit global warming to 2C and the Queensland Government has stated the importance of dealing with climate change for the future of the reef. The science is crystal clear – in order to do this more than 90% of coal has to stay in the ground.”

Australian coal exports will this year produce 1bn tonnes of CO2 – almost twice as much as the country’s domestic emissions. Australia’s CO2 exports through coal have increased by a massive 253% since 1990.[1]

Tager added: “We’re seeing the world move away from coal with Chinese and Indian coal imports continuing to drop. Now is the time for our governments to stop backing an industry with a shrinking market and disastrous consequences on our climate and Great Barrier Reef.”

Nikola Casule, Greenpeace’s Climate campaigner said:

“Tahmoor’s closure is one of the strongest market signals yet that coal is on the way out, and it’s been sent by Glencore itself, the world’s largest coal exporting company.

“The Coalition and Labor parties should wake up to themselves and heed this searing reality check. There is simply no growth to be had from the coal market, where prices are collapsing globally and with no chance of recovery.

“That Glencore is closing this mine - rather its favoured practice of cutting staff and production - shows how little appetite there is to buy into the coal industry, let alone expand it.

“Not only that, this closure shows how little substance there is to traditional party claims there is still strong demand for metallurgical coal, which is used in steel making and is what Tahmoor produced.

“Worst of all, Glencore is failing to implement a transition plan for the 350 coal mine workers at Tahmoor, who will be left stranded by this closure.

“Both major parties are failing Australians by refusing to acknowledge they have a responsibility to create a transition plan for coal workers and by ignoring the potential for an economy based on renewable energy.”

ENDS

“Prime Minister Turnbull’s announcement fails to include any new money for the Great Barrier Reef. It doesn’t address climate change and the mining and burning of coal which are the biggest threats to the future of the reef.

“The money announced today has already been promised to renewable energy. Today’s announcement isn’t going to lead to any additional renewable energy projects being built and we know that for a healthy reef we need a rapid increase in new renewable projects being built and a phase out of coal mining.

“This is Turnbull trying to look like he’s doing something for the Great Barrier Reef while standing on the spot. This is simply not good enough when the reef is suffering from its worst coral bleaching in history.

“In addition to being home to thousands of fish and other marine life, the Great Barrier Reef supports almost 70,000 jobs in Queensland and it’s troubling that neither major party are prepared to take the necessary steps to protect this incredible place.”

Greenpeace Australia Pacific is calling on the parties to take to the election a credible plan to phase out coal mining and a just transition to sustainable jobs in technology and renewable energy.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific campaigner Samantha Wockner said: “The average plastic bag is used for just 12 minutes before it is thrown away, but the damage these bags do to our oceans lasts for centuries afterwards.

“Turtles and other sea creatures are especially vulnerable to plastic pollution, as they can choke after mistaking bits of plastic in the ocean for food.

“If we want to take care of our environment, clean up our oceans and protect turtles and other sea life, then the NSW government needs to ban single-use grocery bags.”

The plastic bag monster is made of 380 plastics bags –  the number of bags Australians use every 2-3 per second. [1]

Single-use plastic bags have already been banned in South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Similar petitions have been delivered to state environment ministers in Victoria and Queensland. [2]

Australians use around 4 billion plastic bags every year, with half of these are consumed in New South Wales. The average plastic bag is used for just 12 minutes and only 14% are recycled. [3]

The petition will be delivered to NSW environment minister Mark Speakman's office later this morning.

NOTES:

Photos available for publication here

[1] http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/Campaigns/plastic-bag-facts.html

[2] Ban the Bag petition, Greenpeace. https://act.greenpeace.org.au/efforts/ban-the-bag-1

[3] Plastic shopping bags options paper, NSW Environment Protection Agency. Feb 2016. http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/resources/waste/160143-plastic-shopping-bags-options.pdf

“While the Great Barrier Reef is suffering from the impacts of mining and burning coal, now is the time to ensure Australia is assessing the damage caused by our coal and we strongly welcome this case,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific reef campaigner Shani Tager.

In a previous appeal, the company argued that coal burned from the proposed mine would not increase global emissions and thus have no impact on climate change.

“Australia is responsible for the carbon emissions from our coal,” said Tager. “The government’s argument simply doesn’t pass the pub test – it doesn’t matter where it is burned, this coal will have the same impact on the climate and on the Great Barrier Reef.

“The Australian government has committed to global target to limit global warming to 2C and the Queensland Government has stated the importance of dealing with climate change for the future of the reef. The science is crystal clear – in order to do this more than 90% of coal has to stay in the ground.”

Australian coal exports will this year produce 1bn tonnes of CO2 – almost twice as much as the country’s domestic emissions. Australia’s CO2 exports through coal have increased by a massive 253% since 1990.[1]

Tager added: “We’re seeing the world move away from coal with Chinese and Indian coal imports continuing to drop. Now is the time for our governments to stop backing an industry with a shrinking market and disastrous consequences on our climate and Great Barrier Reef.”

Greenpeace’s ‘Exporting climate change, killing the Reef’ briefing comes as Australia’s World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef undergoes its worst coral bleaching in history, with almost the entire Reef experiencing some level of bleaching [1] due to warming waters, and as the country prepares to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change at the end of the week.

“The Australian Government wants us to believe it is proactive about climate change, but in reality it’s sending its emissions overseas through its coal exports,” said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s climate and reef campaigner.

“Australia is the world’s largest coal exporter [2] and is avoiding responsibility for its contribution to global carbon emissions. By doing so, the Australian Government is ignoring the most serious threat to the Reef—climate change.

“This isn’t a future threat, it’s one that is playing out right now before our eyes, with coral bleaching on 93 percent of the Great Barrier Reef, and severe bleaching on the most pristine northern parts.

"The Australian Government cannot say it is safeguarding the health of the Reef when it is doing everything it can to avoid tackling the greatest threat it faces, which is coal-driven climate change,” said Ms Tager.

In addition to not reducing Australia’s domestic CO​2 ​emissions since 1990,  coal export volumes have more than tripled in the same period to 400 million tonnes per annum.

With every Australian tonne of coal emitting 2.5 tonnes of CO​2 on average wherever it is used, this means Australia’s CO​2​ exports through coal have increased by a massive 253% since ​1990, the Greenpeace briefing shows.

“Australia’s climate change response and its signature on the Paris Agreement simply won’t be credible as long as it sends more carbon emissions abroad than it saves at home, and pushes its coal exports.

“The future of the Great Barrier Reef is at stake. It’s time for the Australian Government to be ratifying the Paris Agreement and speeding up their response to climate change, including a commitment that no new coal mines be dug and for coal exports to be phased out,” she said.

ENDS

[1] “Only 7 percent of the Great Barrier Reef has avoided coral bleaching”, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, April 2016.

[2]Coal Medium-Term Market Report 2015, p.16, International Energy Agency.

Downlaod full PDF Version: 'Exporting climate change, killing the Reef'

Exporting Climate Change & Killing the Reef by Greenpeace Australia Pacific

The Guardian Australiareported today that an oil rig destined for the Bight could be fitted with faulty subsea bolts. US regulators say failure of these bolts could result in another catastrophic oil spill like the 2010 Gulf of Mexico disaster, and have demanded an industry-wide investigation.

“It’s unclear how or whether National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) will take the bolt issue into account when considering BP’s latest environment plan, yet their verdict is due within days. This process has been conducted behind a veil of secrecy,” said Greenpeace Oceans campaigner, Nathaniel Pelle. 

“A spill off the southern Australian coast on the scale of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster would be horrific.

“Not only would it wipe out marine life found nowhere else on earth, like the endangered Australian Sea Lion, it would destroy local tourism and fishing industries that rely on a healthy ocean.

“Yet Australians are being kept in the dark about BP’s environmental and safety plans. NOPSEMA has already rejected them twice, and now we’re hearing that the rig may be fitted with dodgy bolts.

“BP’s perilous activities must be abandoned before our southern coastline is put in grave danger.”

“While the Great Barrier Reef is suffering from the impacts of mining and burning coal, now is the time to ensure Australia is assessing the damage caused by our coal and we strongly welcome this case,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific reef campaigner Shani Tager.

In a previous appeal, the company argued that coal burned from the proposed mine would not increase global emissions and thus have no impact on climate change.

“Australia is responsible for the carbon emissions from our coal,” said Tager. “The government’s argument simply doesn’t pass the pub test – it doesn’t matter where it is burned, this coal will have the same impact on the climate and on the Great Barrier Reef.

“The Australian government has committed to global target to limit global warming to 2C and the Queensland Government has stated the importance of dealing with climate change for the future of the reef. The science is crystal clear – in order to do this more than 90% of coal has to stay in the ground.”

Australian coal exports will this year produce 1bn tonnes of CO2 – almost twice as much as the country’s domestic emissions. Australia’s CO2 exports through coal have increased by a massive 253% since 1990.[1]

Tager added: “We’re seeing the world move away from coal with Chinese and Indian coal imports continuing to drop. Now is the time for our governments to stop backing an industry with a shrinking market and disastrous consequences on our climate and Great Barrier Reef.”