Climate
Australia's High Court blocks coal mine expansion over climate harm
October 7, 2026 at 03:33 AM · Updated 9d ago
Coverage
3 reports · over 14 hours
TGThe Guardian
Overseas, Albanese sees ‘the very definition of climate injustice’ – but at home, he still wants coal
(opens the publisher’s site)
AJAl Jazeera English
Australia top court rules against coal mine expansion, citing climate harm
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
Hunter Valley community group wins landmark high court climate change case
(opens the publisher’s site)Australia's highest court, in its first climate case, ruled against expanding the Mount Pleasant coal mine, finding planning authorities failed to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
- In a 3-2 split ruling, the High Court dismissed MACH Energy's appeal, upholding a 2025 NSW Court of Appeal decision overturning the expansion.
- The court found the NSW Independent Planning Commission failed to consider conditions minimizing the project's Scope 3 emissions.
- Wendy Wales, who brought the case with the Dams Heg community group, said Australians cannot ignore the climate consequences of exported coal.
- MACH Energy said it was disappointed but accepted the decision and would pursue options to ensure the Mount Pleasant operation's continuity.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had earlier opposed the court action, voicing support for the Mount Pleasant coal project.