Living in the shadow of a coal-fired power station is anything but easy. You wipe coal ash off your tomatoes, clear coal dust from your gutters, all while wondering what that soot is doing to your lungs and heart.

For many people in communities near coal mines and power plants, uncertainty hangs in the air like a thick fog. The fear of long-term health effects is real, and the lack of clear information only makes it worse.

That’s why the visit from the UN Special Rapporteur to NSW’s Central Coast and Victoria’s Latrobe Valley was so significant. It gave these communities something they have long been denied: a chance to be heard.

During his 10-day visit, the UN Special Rapporteur and his team listened to hundreds of local advocates, who bravely spoke up about their struggles.

They spoke about the toxic air filling their lungs, the polluted water they rely on, and the looming threat of diseases like cancer. They shared stories of the Hazelwood mine fires that devastated the land and pointed to governments and corporations that stand idle, failing to protect the people they should be serving.

But the conversation wasn’t just about problems. These communities also brought forward solutions: strengthening air pollution laws, properly managing and rehabilitating coal ash dumps, and creating transition and rehabiliation plans to address the legacy of coal pollution.

With his final report released last week, we finally get to read what the UN Special Rapporteur heard. Presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the report represents a to-do list for the Australian government on how they can better manage power stations, reduce pollution, and clean up the mess coal has left behind.

The report sends a powerful message to Australian leaders:

The Australian government must enshrine the right to a healthy environment and urgently address air pollution, water contamination, and mercury to ensure a toxic-free life for all Australians.

Thank you to those who stood alongside us in advocating to the Special Rapporteur in 2023, and for all the work that you do to make our home safer for everyone.

Together, we will continue working hard to ensure that the right of every Australian to live in a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is realised.