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The NSW minerals industry accepts the reality of climate change, and its responsibility to manage its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
The minerals industry contributes directly to greenhouse gas emissions through the use of fuel such as petrol or diesel in vehicle fleets and equipment; the use of explosives in blasting; the release of greenhouse gases from coal seams during mining activities (fugitive emissions); and the clearing of trees and vegetation for mine development. The industry in NSW and globally has taken greenhouse gas emissions seriously for many years and was among the first to report its emissions and to set specific improvement targets.
The coal industry contributes indirectly to the greenhouse gas emissions by mining the coal used by power stations. The NSW minerals industry strongly supports the development of low emission coal technologies such as carbon capture and storage to minimise greenhouse gas emissions and recognises that energy strategies for NSW should support a range of energy supply sources including renewables and gas.
Mines in NSW have been key participants in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction programs run by both the State and Federal Governments. These have included the NSW Government’s Energy Savings Action Plans and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme, and the Federal Government’s Energy Efficiency Opportunities and Greenhouse Challenge Plus programs.
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