PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea has called on the Australian government to restrict coal mining amid doubts about the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement on carbon emissions.

The revelation comes as representatives from 175 countries, including Australian Environment Minister Greg Hunt, prepare to sign the agreement in Paris on Friday.

PNG High Commissioner Charles Lepani told Australian media his country was paying the consequences for Australia’s economic activities.

“The consequences of coal, for instance coal mining, will impact us tremendously going forward,” Lepani said.

The ambassador confirmed he would like to see the Australian coal mining industry slowed down.

“Yes, we have made that point clear to your government and your leaders,” he said.

The Federal Government says it is committed to implementing its pledge to lower emissions by 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030.

A gathering was organised in Canberra of senior diplomats from other countries signing the Paris Agreement to celebrate the milestone.

US ambassador John Berry said the agreement was “a testament to human tenacity.”

China’s Charge d’Affaires Cai Wei said it was important countries stick to their Paris pledges.

“We will honour what we have promised, despite enormous downward pressure on the Chinese economy,” he said.

But PNG’s Lepani sounded a note of caution at the gathering.

“We are very happy in fact that some semblance of international action has been achieved in Paris.

“I say semblance, we have see serious action going forward.”

“There is a risk that Australia is signing an agreement which it is unable fully to comply with,” University of Sydney international environmental law expert Professor Tim Stephens said.

“Australia’s current emissions reduction target of around 26 per cent to 28 per cent reduction on 2005 levels by 2030, is just not consistent with the Paris agreement goal of keeping global average temperatures well below 2 degrees Celsius.

“So there is a problem. There is a credibility gap between Australia’s signature of a treaty on the one hand and what it’s actually doing to comply with its commitments domestically.”

Environment Minister Greg Hunt flew to New York on Thursday. He said Australia will “meet and beat” the first target in 2020.

Professor Stephens said regardless of when the agreement is ratified, it will be useless unless government policy is changed.

- ABC