Days after rejecting an agreement to phase out use of coal at the COP 26 climate summit, Australia on Monday asserted that it plans to sell coal for “decades into the future”.

During the COP 26 UN climate summit in Glasgow, over 40 countries on Thursday pledged to eliminate coal use within decades to keep the average surface temperature of the Earth between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Major coal consumers such as China, the United States and Australia did not sign up.

“We have said very clearly we are not closing coal mines and we are not closing coal-fired power stations,” Australian Minister for Resources Keith Pitt told Australian broadcaster ABC.

Defending Australia’s decision, Pitt said Australia had some of the world's highest quality coal.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/consigning-coal-to-history-over-40-countries-agree-to-phase-out-dirtiest-fossil-fuel-426548">'Consigning coal to history': Over 40 countries agree to phase out dirtiest fossil fuel</a>

“And that is why we will continue to have markets for decades into the future. And if they're buying... well, we are selling,” he said.

The minister claimed that demand for coal is expected to rise until 2030, adding, “If we aren’t to win that market, somebody else will.

Pitt said that around 300,000 Australians' jobs were reliant on the coal sector.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-urges-australia-to-speed-up-efforts-to-drop-coal-410926">UN urges Australia to speed up efforts to drop coal</a>

“I would much rather it be Australia's high-quality product, delivering Australian jobs and building Australia's economy than coming from Indonesia or Russia or elsewhere.”

Australia is one of the world's largest producers of coal and natural gas, but has also suffered under increasingly extreme climate-fuelled droughts, floods and bushfires in recent years.

Greenhouse emissions from the burning of coal are the largest contributor to&nbsp;climate change.

It is widely used because it is cheap and abundant in local supply. Wealthy countries have invested heavily to shift their industries and energy sectors onto cleaner sources.

In 2019, 37 per cent of the world's electricity was produced by coal. Although the global pipeline for new coal power projects has shrivelled in recent years.

(With inputs from agencies)

Days after rejecting an agreement to phase out use of coal at the COP 26 climate summit, Australia on Monday asserted that it plans to sell coal for “decades into the future”.

Days after rejecting an agreement to phase out use of coal at the COP 26 climate summit, Australia on Monday asserted that it plans to sell coal for “decades into the future”. During the COP 26 UN climate summit in Glasgow, over 40 countries on Thursday pledged to eliminate coal use within decades to keep the average surface temperature of the Earth between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Major coal consumers such as China, the United States and Australia did not sign up. “We have said very clearly we are not closing coal mines and we are not closing coal-fired power stations,” Australian Minister for Resources Keith Pitt told Australian broadcaster ABC. Defending Australia’s decision, Pitt said Australia had some of the world's highest quality coal. Also read | 'Consigning coal to history': Over 40 countries agree to phase out dirtiest fossil fuel “And that is why we will continue to have markets for decades into the future. And if they're buying... well, we are selling,” he said. The minister claimed that demand for coal is expected to rise until 2030, adding, “If we aren’t to win that market, somebody else will. Pitt said that around 300,000 Australians' jobs were reliant on the coal sector. Also read | UN urges Australia to speed up efforts to drop coal “I would much rather it be Australia's high-quality product, delivering Australian jobs and building Australia's economy than coming from Indonesia or Russia or elsewhere.” Australia is one of the world's largest producers of coal and natural gas, but has also suffered under increasingly extreme climate-fuelled droughts, floods and bushfires in recent years. Greenhouse emissions from the burning of coal are the largest contributor to climate change. It is widely used because it is cheap and abundant in local supply. Wealthy countries have invested heavily to shift their industries and energy sectors onto cleaner sources. In 2019, 37 per cent of the world's electricity was produced by coal. Although the global pipeline for new coal power projects has shrivelled in recent years. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia vows to sell coal for 'decades into the future' despite climate warning

The Australian state of Queensland on Friday approved Adani Enterprise's management plan for an endangered bird at the site for a controversial coal mine, leaving only one more permit before construction can start on the project.

Adani has been working for a decade to obtain approvals to develop the Carmichael mine in the remote Galilee Basin, but the process has been slow as the project has become a touchstone for concerns about climate change.

"The Department of Environment and Science (DES) approved Adani's black-throated finch management plan," the Queensland regulator said.

"DES has met regularly with Adani to ensure that the plan is robust and is well-placed to deliver the best outcomes for the protection of the black-throated finch."

Adani said it had received notice that its plan had been approved.

The approval leaves just one permit outstanding, which relates to the management of a sensitive groundwater source. That is expected to be issued by June 13.

Adani has faced difficulties obtaining finance for the mine and accompanying rail project as climate change concerns have discouraged lenders from backing new thermal coal developments while falling prices have also raised doubts about the mine's economics.

But voters worried about jobs in the downtrodden region returned the ruling Liberal-National coalition to power in an Australian election this month, renewing momentum for the project.

A local conservation group condemned Friday's approval, saying in a statement that "Australians should be alarmed by this decision".

The Australian state of Queensland on Friday approved Adani Enterprise's management plan for an endangered bird at the site for a controversial coal mine, leaving only one more permit before construction can start on the project.

The Australian state of Queensland on Friday approved Adani Enterprise's management plan for an endangered bird at the site for a controversial coal mine, leaving only one more permit before construction can start on the project. Adani has been working for a decade to obtain approvals to develop the Carmichael mine in the remote Galilee Basin, but the process has been slow as the project has become a touchstone for concerns about climate change. "The Department of Environment and Science (DES) approved Adani's black-throated finch management plan," the Queensland regulator said. "DES has met regularly with Adani to ensure that the plan is robust and is well-placed to deliver the best outcomes for the protection of the black-throated finch." Adani said it had received notice that its plan had been approved. The approval leaves just one permit outstanding, which relates to the management of a sensitive groundwater source. That is expected to be issued by June 13. Adani has faced difficulties obtaining finance for the mine and accompanying rail project as climate change concerns have discouraged lenders from backing new thermal coal developments while falling prices have also raised doubts about the mine's economics. But voters worried about jobs in the downtrodden region returned the ruling Liberal-National coalition to power in an Australian election this month, renewing momentum for the project. A local conservation group condemned Friday's approval, saying in a statement that "Australians should be alarmed by this decision".

Adani wins one of last two permits it needs for Australia coal mine

australia-coal-mine

Australia Coal Mine, News on Australia Coal Mine, stories on Australia Coal Mine, articles on Australia Coal Mine, Australia Coal Mine stories at Wion, Australia Coal Mine news, Australia Coal Mine latest news

australia coal-mine

Australia vows to sell coal for 'decades into the future' despite climate warning

Adani wins one of last two permits it needs for Australia coal mine