The issue

Almost 5000 Australians die from exposure to air pollution each year. Thousands of others suffer health effects like stroke, heart disease and asthma.

Australia’s current air pollution standards are not strong enough to protect human health. National air pollution limits currently exceed the World Health Organisation’s recommended thresholds and by international comparison, lag significantly. Much stricter standards have been adopted in most other countries, including the US, EU, and China.

Coal-fired power stations are a big contributor to air pollution in Australia and the biggest sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the country.

We know that at least 279 people die prematurely each year in NSW as a result of toxic air pollution from the state’s five coal-fired power stations. The health impacts also include 233 babies born with reduced birthweight, 361 people developing type 2 diabetes and 2,614 years of life lost each year due to uncontrolled air pollution from NSW power stations. The research has not yet been done – but the national number is likely to be extremely concerning.

Communities are also at risk from coal ash – the toxic by-product of coal-fired power, that is dumped into huge wastewater ponds that can leach and contaminate local land and waterways.

Our laws fail to address problems in pollution hotspots – like the Latrobe Valley, the Hunter Valley and the NSW Central Coast – where coal mines and coal-fired power stations, often exceed the limits for pollution.

Australia needs stronger laws and regulations on pollution from coal-fired power to protect our health.

Here at EJA, we aim to make sure polluters reduce and control their toxic pollution as much as possible. We work with community groups, experts and advocates to achieve laws and regulation that reduce pollution levels and safeguard clean air, water and land.

The People’s Clean Air Action Plan

February 15, 2021

Add your name to the People’s Clean Air Action Plan for NSW

February 11, 2021

Add your name to the People’s Clean Air Action Plan for Victoria

February 11, 2021

Resources

In the media

Air PollutionMedia releases
February 15, 2021

Community coalition releases its own clean air plan after government inaction on pollution from coal-fired power stations

Communities across NSW are demanding the Berejiklian government combats toxic air pollution and protects people’s health with the release of The People’s Clean Air Action Plan.  Tired of government inaction, particularly toxic pollution from…
Air PollutionMedia releases
February 15, 2021

Community coalition releases its own clean air plan after government inaction on pollution from coal-fired power stations

Victorian communities are demanding the Andrews government combat toxic air pollution and protect people’s health with the release of The People’s Clean Air Action Plan.  Tired of government inaction, particularly toxic pollution from coal-fired power…
Air PollutionMedia releases
February 15, 2021

NSW and Victorian communities release their own clean air plan after years of government inaction

MEDIA RELEASE Communities across NSW and Victoria are demanding the Berejiklian and Andrews governments combat toxic air pollution and protect people’s health with the release of The People’s Clean Air Action Plan.  Tired of government inaction, a coalition of community groups, environmental lawyers, health professionals and international regulatory experts came together…
Air PollutionMedia releases
December 18, 2020

Environmental lawyers challenge EPA and EnergyAustralia in VCAT over pollution control at Yallourn Power Station 

Environmental lawyers challenge EPA and EnergyAustralia in VCAT over pollution control at Yallourn Power Station  Environmental lawyers have launched legal proceedings in a bid to uncover documents about the operations and maintenance of EnergyAustralia’s pollution…