Arabic version: شركات التعدين في كوينزلاند تبدي مخاوف بشأن حكم الانبعاثات

According to ABC News, Queensland’s mining sector is concerned a High Court ruling on overseas emissions could affect investor confidence, despite federal and state figures saying the decision is tied to New South Wales planning laws.

The High Court ruled on Wednesday in favour of a New South Wales community group that had opposed an expansion of a Hunter Valley coal mine. The court found the state planning body had failed to consider emissions from coal burnt overseas when approving the project. Those overseas emissions are known as scope three emissions.

Federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres said the decision was “squarely a NSW decision” and was confined to provisions of the state’s legislation and the planning authority’s work. Resources Minister Madeline King described it as a “pretty technical ruling” and said she did not believe it would affect other states unless their planning laws had similar provisions.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the state, identified by the government as Australia’s largest coal-producing state, was “open for business” for mining investment. He said Queensland’s laws were already “bulletproof” and would be amended if necessary. The Environmental Protection Act already requires regulators to consider overseas emissions, according to the report.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Janette Hewson said changes in how laws and regulations were interpreted increased risk for the industry. The Minerals Council of Australia also warned the ruling could set a “bad precedent” beyond New South Wales and deter investors. Central Queensland University regional economic development expert John Rolfe said broader application of the scope three standard could be disruptive and increase costs.