Tanya Plibersek approves three coalmine expansions in move criticised as ‘the opposite of climate action’

Environment minister Tanya Plibersek says the coalmine approvals are ‘not new projects’ and the emissions from them would be considered under the safeguard mechanism. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, approved three coalmine expansions on Tuesday in a step described by conservationists as reckless and “the opposite of climate action”.

The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) said the three projects, all in New South Wales, would generate more than 1.3bn tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in their lifetime.