The Hunter Environment Lobby is objecting to the expansion as an additional 575 million tonnes of carbon pollution will be created.

The Nature Conservation Council of NSW threw their support behind the Lobby based on the impacts on climate change.

The Council said Ulan Coal alone would produce more direct carbon pollution than was generated by the entire Australian economy in 2009.

Nature Conservation Council of NSW Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke said it is the first time in NSW climate change will be used as a legal argument against coal mine expansion. She added there is a growing national and international push for greater recognition of carbon pollution when making decisions on coal and gas mining or power plant development proposals.

“The approval of the $30 billion Wheatstone gas project in Western Australia has recommendations that greenhouse gas emissions be offset during the life of the project, and Micronesia recently challenged a proposal to expand a coal-fired power plant in the Czech Republic because its emissions would increase the climate change risks faced by Pacific nations,” he said.

“During the current court case, the NSW Department of Planning’s own David Kitto has acknowledged greenhouse gas emissions have been raised as a concern in project submissions for at least the past 10 years. Yet we still have no formal policy for dealing with the tonnes of carbon pollution during the determination of major mining and industry projects in NSW.

“The true cost of mining and coal-fired power generation on our climate must be recognised when governments make important energy decisions with lasting impacts on the global communities and the environment.”