The World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia today expressed disappointment at the Queensland government's decision to keep coal-fired power stations running longer than planned.
"This decision threatens our climate, our communities, and our iconic Great Barrier Reef," said WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O'Gorman.
In 2024, LNP members showed bipartisan support to cut emissions by 75 per cent by 2035, voting to enshrine this target in legislation when they were in opposition.
"Prolonging coal-fired power makes this harder to achieve and raises serious questions about the Queensland government's commitment to the 2035 target," Mr O'Gorman said.
"The Great Barrier Reef is under threat due to rising temperatures and extreme weather. Keeping coal means more carbon emissions, worsening climate change.
"It means more climate-related disasters—floods, heatwaves, bushfires—will hit Queenslanders harder.
"Climate change raises the cost of living. Insurance premiums will go up, food production will suffer, and disaster recovery costs will soar. Keeping coal is bad economics.
"Queensland deserves better.
"The government must keep its promise and phase out fossil fuels as quickly as possible.
"Sticking to the emissions reduction plan will protect our environment, strengthen our economy, and create a cleaner future for all Queenslanders.
"WWF-Australia urges the Queensland government to act now - for our people, our nature, and our future," he said.
