Protecting farmers means ending coal expansions, report shows
Tuesday, 16 December 2025
- NSW Govt report reveals coal methane pollution will double in two years if coal mine expansions are approved
- Coal mine expansions alone will blow NSW’s pollution reduction goals
- Protecting our farmers and food supply means ending coal mine expansions
Farmers for Climate Action, representing 8,400 farmers, has called for an end to coal mine expansions as new data reveals methane from coal mines in NSW will double by 2027 if extension applications are approved.
The Coal Mining Emissions Spotlight Report, released by the NSW Net Zero Commission, also found that only three NSW mines currently have enforceable, absolute limits on emissions through their development approvals, and that at other coal mines, “Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plans… have lacked ambition, clear goals and enforceability”.
Farmers for Climate Action CEO, Verity Morgan-Schmidt, said farmers are already being smashed by repeating droughts, fires, and floods made worse by climate change.
“You don’t put a fire out by pouring petrol on it. You can’t say you’re protecting farmers while you’re extending coal mines. Ending coal extensions is the simplest way to protect our water, our soil, and our food supply,” Ms Morgan Schmidt said.
“The Insurance Council of Australia has been clear that ‘worsening extreme weather events… are putting upward pressure on the affordability of insurance’. The Insurance Council has also said we need deep emissions reduction this decade, something FCA has long called for.
“Australian farmers are actively investing in methane reduction technologies to bring emissions down in our sector, and it’s just ludicrous that coal mine expansions with all the associated pollution could even be considered.”
“Every coal mine expansion, and every bit of climate pollution adds to the risks facing Australian farmers and our natural environment.”
The release of the report comes as the NSW Farmers Association launches a legal fight against the Narrabri Gas Project over fears of water contamination.
“Farmers are united in the need to protect a viable future for farming and to safeguard Australia’s food supply,” Ms Morgan-Schmidt said.
“Farmers are fighting gas projects that pose irreversible risks to our water and fighting coal mine expansions that will contribute to more drought, fire, and flood. Australian Treasury data shows the shift away from coal is inevitable, with exports predicted to collapse by half by 2035 as our coal customers overseas stop burning coal.
“We can’t pretend this isn’t happening. Let’s protect and respect our regions by having honest, evidence-based conversations and planning a strong future together.”
Media contact: Les White 0409805122 [email protected]
