Courts turn on coal mines over climate impacts - Sydney Morning Herald
Johnson Legal Principal Lawyer, Anita O’Hart, discusses the significance of the recent orders, made by consent, of the NSW Land and Environment Court overturning approval of Glencore’s Ulan Coal Mine expansion. The decision follows the recent NSW Court of Appeal finding that local climate harms must be considered by consent authorities for coal mines, including where the coal product is exported. It also follows the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice delivered in July 2025, which found that countries like Australia may be held liable for transboundary climate harms suffered by other nations arising from continued fossil fuel production.
Principal Lawyer Anita O’Hart is the solicitor on record in the case, representing our client Mudgee District Environment Group, together with Senior Associate Asha Keaney.
