A Federal Court ruling allows coal and gas projects to continue ignoring the impacts of their emissions. 

The Federal Court of Australia has dismissed an appeal by the Environmental Council of Central Queensland (ECoCeQ), allowing the federal government to approve coal and gas projects without considering their emission impacts on plants, animals, and protected areas.

ECoCeQ's appeal concerned the extensions of Whitehaven's Narrabri Mine and the Mount Pleasant Mine in Muswellbrook, New South Wales. 

The group argued that Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek should consider the emissions from these projects. 

However, the court upheld that the minister is not legally required to account for these emissions under current environmental laws.

ECoCeQ says the ruling could lead to the approval of many new fossil fuel projects. Whitehaven Coal welcomed the ruling, saying it paves the way for extending the Narrabri mine's operation until 2044, supporting 500 jobs and boosting the state's economy.

Minister Plibersek concluded that the climate contributions from these projects would be insignificant, a position the court supported. 

Some see the ruling as evidence of the inadequacy of Australia’s environmental laws to address climate change.

Projects will still be subject to some climate scrutiny under the government's Safeguard Mechanism laws. However, these do not address concerns about the cumulative impact of ongoing fossil fuel projects.