Climate Activists Disrupt Operations at Australia's Largest Coal Export Port

One of Australia's largest coal export ports in Newcastle is set to resume operations after climate activists from Rising Tide disrupted activities for two days. Authorities arrested over 100 protesters. The protest underscores the nation’s climate change debate amid commitments to net-zero emissions by 2050.

In a significant act of climate protest, operations at one of Australia's major coal export ports, the Port of Newcastle, are scheduled to resume after two days of disruption. The environmental advocacy group Rising Tide organized the protest, which saw hundreds of activists paddling into the harbor's shipping lanes, contravening exclusion zone regulations.

The Port of Newcastle, a crucial bulk shipping hub located 170 kilometers north of Sydney, faced halted cargo movements, including a shipment destined for Tomago, Australia's largest aluminum smelter. Despite this, a spokesperson confirmed that vessel operations would proceed as planned on Monday.

The protest, backed by Greenpeace and other groups, led to over 100 arrests, although police have only verified 21. Greenpeace highlighted the actions as a peaceful demonstration, reflective of the growing impatience with climate inaction as the Australian government targets net-zero emissions by 2050.

(With inputs from agencies.)