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Lisa Cox

Ex-chief scientist: Singleton coalmine expansion would make meeting NSW emissions target ‘51% more difficult’ in 2030

Continuing with former Australian chief scientist Penny Sackett’s evidence to the NSW Independent Planning Commission, Sackett told the hearing NSW was already on track to overshoot its legislated 2030 and 2035 emissions reduction targets by about 7.5Mt.

She said the direct – or scope 1 – emissions from the proposed extension of the Hunter Valley Operations mine in Singleton “would make meeting New South Wales’ target 51% more difficult in 2030 and 68% more difficult in 2035” by adding a further 4Mt of emissions to the projected overshoot – increasing the need to make up for the emissions elsewhere in the economy.

Sackett said also the project’s total emissions would negate the climate benefits of meeting Australia’s national targets out to 2035.

She told the hearing her analysis excluded carbon offsets – which HVO has said it plans to use to reduce its emissions – because she did not think they reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Late last year, the NSW Net Zero Commission warned the Minns government could no longer approve coalmine expansions because they were incompatible with the state’s legislated emissions targets.

Guardian Australia has sought comment from the NSW government and Hunter Valley Operations.