NSW government accused by critics of using ‘fatally compromised’ emissions report

Bayswater and Liddell coal-fired power stations in NSW. A report used by the state government on reducing coalmine emissions is said to be inconsistent with legislation and the Paris climate agreement. Photograph: Ian Waldie/Getty Images

The New South Wales government is facing criticism over a review of how to cut emissions from coalmines that claims the goal of limiting global heating to well below 2C will not be met – a position at odds with the state’s laws and policies.

Climate campaigners and scientists said the assertion in the report, prepared for the planning department, is inconsistent with state legislation that commits to pursuing efforts to limit temperature increases to 1.5C.