Prime Minister Scott Morrison today undertook to stop activists undermining the coal mining industry and prevent them using similar tactics against other big emitters.
A new Australian Conservation Foundation report says the nation's big four banks can't finance Galilee Basin coal projects while meeting their obligations under the Equator Principles.
Businessman-activist Geoff Cousins and ACF chief executive Kelly O'Shannassy say securing public support is the key to rapidly steering new projects through approval processes, not a one-stop-shop.
The big four banks are under new pressure from activists to cease financing coal projects that could harm the Great Barrier Reef, while 'Lock the Gate' today sought a NSW Ombudsman's investigation into approval processes for mines.
Greenpeace and WWF have written to directors of companies including BHP Billiton, GlencoreXstrata, Chevron and Conoco Philips asking whether they expect to be personally indemnified by their companies and insurers against potential lawsuits over carbon emissions and climate change.
The local division of activist group 350.org says Australian universities should follow Stanford University's lead, after it yesterday announced it would not invest in the coal industry.
The ultimate legacy of the mining industry's resistance to the carbon price might be a much more stringent and heavy-handed regulatory regime, says Australian Conservation Foundation CEO Don Henry.