Image: AAP Image, Bianca de Marchi
by ISABELLA GIBBS
In a move to combat climate change and transition to a greener future, the New South Wales Government has committed to a Climate Change Bill, designed to put emissions reduction targets into law and establish an independent Net Zero Commission. The new legislation commits the state to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Premier Chris Minns expressed his commitment to climate action, saying, “The people of New South Wales expect their government to act on climate change and power bills.”
In March this year, the Greens called for the Minns government to resist the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists. They also criticised the Premier for continuing to pump money into the coal industry and for logging in Newry state forest near the town of Bellingen – a breach of a key election promise he had made.
The current legislated targets, which align with keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees, are nonetheless expected to open the door to significant economic opportunities. Minister for Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment Penny Sharpe emphasised the urgency of this action, noting that climate change is already impacting the state through extreme weather events, droughts, and floods.
This initiative is expected to attract substantial private investment, putting downward pressure on power bills for households and businesses. The majority of these investments will create jobs, primarily in regional areas. To help meet these ambitious targets, the NSW Government has already taken significant steps by investing $1.8 billion in renewable energy infrastructure, transmission, and storage through the Transmission Acceleration Facility and Energy Security Corporation.
Minister Sharpe underlined the importance of this legislation, stating, “Legislating 2030 and 2050 targets and creating an independent Net Zero Commission fulfils a commitment to the people of New South Wales that the Government will take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and continue the renewable transformation of our energy system.”
The Climate Change Bill not only sets firm emissions reduction targets but also establishes the Net Zero Commission. This independent, expert body will monitor the state’s progress toward achieving net-zero emissions, reporting annually to ensure parliamentary transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, the legislation includes guiding principles for action to address climate change and an objective to enhance the state’s resilience to a changing climate.
Jacqui Mumford, CEO of the Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales (NCC), welcomed these developments while emphasising the importance of addressing other environmental concerns. “Legislating targets is a key step toward NSW becoming a clean energy superpower, and realising cleaner, cheaper power and new clean manufacturing and export opportunities,” Mumford noted.
However, Mumford also urged vigilance, expressing concern that certain short-term decisions could undermine the state’s climate agenda. She pointed out the environmental consequences of activities like coal mining and logging, advocating for a halt to new fossil fuel projects and habitat clearing to reduce emissions significantly.
