In July the 'Green Steel and the Future Risk of Metallurgical Coal' event was held in West End, Brisbane. Presenters included Simon Nicholas from the Institute of Energy Economics, and Clare Silcock, Energy Strategist with Queensland Conservation Council.

Queensland is the world’s biggest producer of metallurgical coal - which is exported to China, Japan and Korea and used in the production of steel. Big coal mining companies say there are no alternatives to coal for steel production, arguing they must keep mining coal in Queensland until the 2090s. And worse, the Queensland government is approving new coal mines claiming it's a global necessity. However there are alternatives to the use of coal in steel production, but because of the interests of the big mining companies, these alternatives are not well publicised or understood. 

Attendees at the event heard about how the world is shifting away from the use of coal in steel making. The technology to make ‘green steel’ is not new - it’s decades old technology that is being increasingly utilised. And most exciting is the shift to using recycled scrap steel. 70% of steel made in the United States is recycled and its use is growing in other countries, including China. In this context we need to ensure that as many government decision makers as possible understand the risks to Queensland if we continue to push ahead with opening up new or expanded metallurgical coal mines. This includes the risk of increased methane pollution, which is the potent greenhouse gas released during the mining process. Metallurgical coal mines are often more methane intensive than thermal coal mines.

The October State election is crucial for keeping coal and climate on the agenda. Lock the Gate and Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) will be pushing all parties to adopt the best possible policies on stopping the Queensland coal and gas expansion.