This review highlights the work of the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (the IESC) for the 2020–2021 financial year.

Key elements of the IESC’s work in 2020–2021 include:

• providing eight pieces of advice on proposed coal resource development projects
• continuing to engage virtually with stakeholders to explain our role and review how advice is adopted in regulatory decisions
• hosting a virtual masterclass series on the IESC’s Explanatory Notes
• funding  projects on metagenomic research and minimum groundwater monitoring guidelines.