Australian Environment Minister Faces Climate Change Lawsuit Over Great Barrier Reef

If successful, new coal and gas projects could face greater scrutiny over their impact on the environment. 

In this photo provided by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, a green turtle swims in waters of Ribbon Reef No 10 near Cairns, Australia, Jan. 26, 2019. Australia's new government announced on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, it plans to prevent a coal mine from being created because of its potential impact on the nearby Great Barrier Reef. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority via AP

Australia’s federal environment minister and coal mining companies face court this week over accusations they failed to protect the Great Barrier Reef. 

It comes after Minister Tanya Plibersek refused to reconsider requests from the small volunteer group Environment Council of Central Queensland (ECCQ) to review two coal proposals, the Mount Pleasant Optimisation coal mine expansion and the Narrabri Underground Mine Stage 3 Extension in NSW.