Australia’s coal and gas approvals are starting to stink ahead of Cop31 | Jess Harwood
News Source
•Fri, 06 Nov 2026 14:00:44 GMT
📰 What Happened
A new cartoon takes aim at Australia's coal and gas approvals just before the COP31 climate talks. The piece, by Jess Harwood, argues the timing looks bad for the government.
Australia has approved 37 new or expanded coal, oil and gas projects since 2022. This month it cleared an expansion of BHP's Saraji coal mine, allowing 55 million more tonnes of coal.
COP31 opens in Antalya, Turkey, where Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen will lead negotiations.
🔍 The Backstory
More than 500 Australian academics wrote to the prime minister this week. They said Australia cannot lead on climate while opening new fossil fuel projects.
The letter points to pending decisions on the Hunter Valley coal extensions. It also cites a UN finding that 1.5C of warming is now unavoidable.
Australia shares the COP31 presidency with Turkey, so its record at home is under close watch.
🎯 Why It Matters
Australia's climate promises are judged against its own approvals. Voters pay for both the fires and the rising power bills.
A new cartoon takes aim at Australia's coal and gas approvals just before the COP31 climate talks. The piece, by Jess Harwood, argues the timing looks bad for the government.
Australia has approved 37 new or expanded coal, oil and gas projects since 2022. This month it cleared an expansion of BHP's Saraji coal mine, allowing 55 million more tonnes of coal.
COP31 opens in Antalya, Turkey, where Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen will lead negotiations.
More than 500 Australian academics wrote to the prime minister this week. They said Australia cannot lead on climate while opening new fossil fuel projects.
The letter points to pending decisions on the Hunter Valley coal extensions. It also cites a UN finding that 1.5C of warming is now unavoidable.
Australia shares the COP31 presidency with Turkey, so its record at home is under close watch.
Australia's climate promises are judged against its own approvals. Voters pay for both the fires and the rising power bills.