Coal Mining Emissions Spotlight Report
The Net Zero Commission’s first spotlight report delivers rigorous analysis into coal mining’s role in NSW’s economy and emissions profile. The report identifies opportunities to reduce emissions and the need to support affected regional communities as the global economy shifts away from coal.
Type: Spotlight Report
File: PDF 7.56 MB / Pages 83
Name: NZC_Coal_Spotlight_Report_2025.pdf
An accessible version of the report will be available soon. Please check back by 30 January 2026.
Key findings:
- In order for NSW emissions targets to remain achievable, on-site abatement at existing mines is essential, particularly to reduce fugitive emissions. Additional regulatory measures will be required to achieve measurable on-site abatement.
- The Commonwealth and NSW Governments are working to improve the accuracy of fugitive emissions reporting at open cut coal mines. Collaboration across these efforts could accelerate and strengthen outcomes.
- Consistent with the objectives of the Climate Change Act, NSW consent authorities need to meaningfully consider greenhouse gas emissions and their impacts in all planning decisions, including those for additional coal mining.
- Continued extensions or expansions to coal mining in NSW are not consistent with the emissions reduction targets in the Climate Change Act or the Paris Agreement temperature goals it gives effect to.
- NSW Government will need to prioritise its consideration of policies that systematically prepare for the decline of coal extraction and provide for a just and orderly transition for coal-producing communities and impacted regional economies.