Abstract Coal extraction remains supported in many countries despite a global context challenging the industry. A large evidence base links coal with negative consequences for human health. Environmental assessments (EAs) are regulated in nearly every country to assess and set conditions for large industry projects, including coal mines, but tend to exclude health impacts. This study investigated the institutional dynamics surrounding the inclusion of health in coal mining EAs in New South Wales, Australia. Semi-structured interviews with varied stakeholders were supported by a review of legislation, relevant case law and media analysis. Using insights from theories on power and institutions the findings show how EA practice is influenced by the politicization of coal mining that excludes potentially negative narratives surrounding the known human health impacts of coal. Poor EA practice is compounded by legislative ambiguity and lack of conceptual understanding about assessing health. EA's legislative purpose of approving projects undermines confidence that a balanced assessment of impacts has been made. EA is seen as a pro-industry process that disempowers those with dissenting voices. The research explains how the institutional dynamics of a policy process like EA challenge its potential to meaningfully engage with the impact of coal mining on human health.

中文翻译：

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澳大利亚新南威尔士州煤矿项目环境评估中有限的人类健康考虑背后的制度动态

摘要 尽管煤炭行业面临全球挑战，但许多国家仍然支持煤炭开采。大量证据基础将煤炭与对人类健康的负面影响联系起来。几乎每个国家都对环境评估 (EA) 进行监管，以评估和设定大型工业项目（包括煤矿）的条件，但往往排除健康影响。本研究调查了澳大利亚新南威尔士州将健康纳入煤矿 EAs 的制度动态。对不同利益相关者的半结构化访谈得到了立法审查、相关判例法和媒体分析的支持。使用来自权力和机构理论的见解，研究结果显示了 EA 实践如何受到煤炭开采政治化的影响，该政治化排除了围绕已知的煤炭对人类健康影响的潜在负面叙述。立法上的含糊不清和对健康评估缺乏概念性理解加剧了不良的 EA 实践。EA 批准项目的立法目的破坏了对影响进行平衡评估的信心。EA 被视为一个亲行业的过程，它剥夺了那些持不同意见的人的权力。该研究解释了像 EA 这样的政策过程的制度动态如何挑战其有意义地参与煤炭开采对人类健康的影响的潜力。不良的 EA 实践因立法模糊和缺乏对健康评估的概念理解而更加复杂。EA 批准项目的立法目的破坏了对影响进行平衡评估的信心。EA 被视为一个亲行业的过程，它剥夺了那些持不同意见的人的权力。该研究解释了像 EA 这样的政策过程的制度动态如何挑战其有意义地参与煤炭开采对人类健康的影响的潜力。立法上的含糊不清和对健康评估缺乏概念性理解加剧了不良的 EA 实践。EA 批准项目的立法目的破坏了对影响进行平衡评估的信心。EA 被视为一个亲行业的过程，它剥夺了那些持不同意见的人的权力。该研究解释了像 EA 这样的政策过程的制度动态如何挑战其有意义地参与煤炭开采对人类健康的影响的潜力。