Of the visitors some 20% had questions to ask through the interactive website (http://newgencoal.com.au/) which aims to raise public awareness of how Australia’s coal industry is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through new generation technologies.

While some visitors had amusing feedback such as “you guys have more spin than Shane Warne”, Logue noted the ACA was pleased with the success of the website so far.

Market research, including focus groups, will be conducted early next year to measure the impact.

Logue said the website came about because the ACA was concerned that coal was being stigmatised and people did not understand the contribution that the coal industry was making to try to resolve the climate change issue.

He added that earlier research indicated many people did not understand carbon capture and storage technology.

The ACA has also made a shift away from the term “clean coal”

Logue said it was not only a very confusing term, with clean coal referring to washing coal in the past, but also became a catchcry for those critical of the coal industry, with people joking about how coal can be clean.