Re Australian Conservation Foundation v. Latrobe City Council

Summary:

An Australian tribunal overturned the decision of a government panel which refused to consider the greenhouse gas impacts of burning coal. The Hazelwood coal-fired power station is one of the largest in the state of Victoria and a significant contributor to the State’s GHG emissions. A government panel set up under the Victorian Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Environmental Effects Act 1978 to consider the extension of the power station was instructed not to consider matters related to GHG emissions. The tribunal held that the assessment panel must consider the impacts of GHG emissions on the environment.

At Issue: Challenge to refusal by government panel to consider greenhouse gas impacts of burning coal