The Australian government has refused to approve a proposed open-cut coal mine near the Great Barrier Reef, citing environmental laws and the risk of irreversible damage. Located off the coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising the world’s largest coral reef system and hosting a diverse range of marine life. The mining project was located less than 10 kilometers from the reef on the Queensland coastline, approximately 700 kilometers northwest of Brisbane. The environment and water minister, Tanya Plibersek, formally confirmed her decision to decline the project, asserting that the reef was in danger of significant potential environmental hazards. Plibersek cited the potential risks of pollution and irreversible damage to the reef as well as the unacceptable impacts on freshwater and fragile seagrass meadows in the area.

The minister revealed that the department received 9,000 public comments about the mine during the public consultation period. UNESCO has been pressuring the Australian government to protect the reef better, and in 2022, the government pledged AUD 1 billion ($700 million) towards conservation efforts, including water quality programs and climate adaptation measures. Last year, the Great Barrier Reef, which spans more than 2,300 kilometers, experienced its sixth mass bleaching event due to warming waters caused by climate change. The current government, elected in 2022, pledged to take more robust action on climate change in a country that is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels. However, Climate Action Tracker ranks Australia’s climate policies as “insufficient,” and the country is unlikely to meet targets to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.