Asked by: Lord Beith (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received about the implications of the Paris Agreement for policy on the opening of new coal mines; what has been their response to any such representations; and what assessment they have made of the decision of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales to reject a mine application by reference to the Paris Agreement and climate change.
Answered by Lord Henley
We receive regular representations regarding the implications of the Paris Agreement for tackling climate change. In response, we are clear that the UK is committed to delivering the ambition of the Paris Agreement. The Climate Change Act committed the UK to reducing emissions by at least 80% compared to 1990 levels and we are phasing out the use of unabated coal for electricity generation by 2025. In response to the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C, we have asked the Climate Change Committee to advise on whether further action is needed. No specific assessment has been made of the New South Wales decision noting that planning decisions for new mines are a matter for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.