New government data shows Australia's coalmines released more emissions last financial year. About 80% of mines pumped more pollution into the atmosphere than their official limit allowed. The overall increase was modest at 0.5%, but this occurred as the Albanese government pledged significant pollution cuts to address the climate crisis. This contradiction has surprised many observers.
The "safeguard mechanism" policy covers roughly 200 major industrial sites. Each facility must reduce its emissions intensity by 4.9% annually. Despite this requirement, most coalmines exceeded their government-imposed limits. They technically met their targets by purchasing carbon offsets representing cuts made elsewhere. Scientists warn this approach fails to address the climate crisis properly. Real solutions demand direct emission reductions.
Sources: theguardian.com
The words in bold are from the article.
| 1. pledged | a. approximately |
| 2. contradiction | b. require |
| 3. modest | c. in theory |
| 4. roughly | d. small |
| 5. facility | e. adequately |
| 6. exceeded | f. site |
| 7. technically | g. inconsistency |
| 8. purchasing | h. went beyond |
| 9. demand | i. buying |
| 10. properly | j. committed |
1.j 2.g 3.d 4.a 5.f 6.h 7.c 8.i 9.b 10.e