The NSW Government has introduced a Climate Change Bill to establish an independent Net Zero Commission and set emissions reduction targets in the State.
The Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill 2023 commits NSW to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
According to the State Government, the 2030 and 2050 targets are crucial for maximising the economic benefits of transitioning to renewable energy, attracting billions of dollars in private investment, lowering power bills, and creating thousands of jobs, primarily in regional areas.
“The people of NSW expect their government to act on climate change and power bills. That’s why we’re delivering on our election promises to legislate emissions reduction targets and set up the independent Net Zero Commission,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
“Enshrining targets in law shows the NSW Labor Government is serious about reaping the benefits of driving down emissions and moving to more affordable, renewable energy,” Premier Minns stated.
The NSW Government is investing $1.8 billion in renewable energy infrastructure, transmission, and storage through the Transmission Acceleration Facility and Energy Security Corporation to meet its targets.
Additionally, the State Government is establishing a new stand-alone Department for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, and investing in the circular economy to reduce waste emissions.
The Climate Change (Nett Zero Future) Bill 2023 aims to:
- Create the Net Zero Commission, an independent and expert organisation that monitors the NSW’s progress towards net zero. It will provide an annual report to maintain parliamentary transparency and accountability.
- Put in place guiding principles for climate change action.
- Set a goal to make NSW more resilient to climate change.
- The NSW Government and Net Zero Commission will work with the State’s regions and communities to guarantee community-led, informed, fair, and transparent climate action.
“Legislating 2030 and 2050 targets and creating an independent Net Zero Commission fulfils a commitment to the people of NSW that the government will take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and continue the renewable transformation of our energy system,” Minister for Climate Change, Energy and the Environment Penny Sharpe said.
The Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales (NCC) has welcomed the announcement but warned that targets will only be attainable if coal-fired power units are retired on schedule.
“This bill and commission are an excellent framework for sustained climate action, as it will dramatically increase transparency and hold the NSW Government to account,” NCC CEO Jacqui Mumford stated.
“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 continued.
However, she warned that short-term actions might jeopardise NSW’s climate record.
“The science is very clear on what needs to happen to meet this responsibility – we need to reduce emissions across every sector of the economy. That means new fossil fuel projects such as Angus Place West coal mine or the coal seam gas in the Pilliga/Biliga cannot go ahead,” she said.
She also called for native forest logging and habitat clearing for agricultural development to end, as they release over 10 million tonnes of carbon annually.
Meanwhile, the NSW Greens have welcomed the Bill but said the legislated targets would cost the people of NSW hundreds of billions of dollars and risk destabilising the State’s ecology and economy.
“Global and domestic organisations of accredited scientists have made it clear that NSW and Australia must be more ambitious with our emissions targets and have called for us to be net zero by 2035 or 2040 by the latest. The Government’s target of 50% by 2030 is inconsistent with international expectations and will lock in global temperature rises beyond 2 degrees celsius,” Greens MP and spokesperson for Climate Change Sue Higginson said.
According to the NSW Greens, the Bill aims to address landscape and community issues arising from climate change impacts, with the Greens leading an inquiry into the planning system and climate readiness.
“The Greens want this net zero bill to pass so we will work with the Government to make sure that happens. We welcome that there will be an inquiry into the bill because on all accounts the targets associated with this bill are less than ambitious and the details of the guiding principles need to be examined. It is important that NSW is given the best net zero targets possible and that the new Commission will be empowered to be effective and make strong recommendations,” Higginson said.
Additionally, the Farmers for Climate Action has released a statement supporting the NSW Government’s move to put its climate targets into law.
“Farmers for Climate Action has long been calling for real bipartisan ambition on climate to ensure deep emissions reduction across the economy this decade.” Farmers for Climate Action CEO Natalie Collard said.
According to Collard, governments enacting robust emission reduction targets and implementing a comprehensive plan indicate progress towards stronger climate policies.
“We are hopeful that the NSW Government will also commit to real emission reductions as part of this Bill – the path to net zero cannot be built on carbon offsets,” Collard added.
Moreover, Rewiring Australia has emphasised the need for household electrification powered by renewable energy to be at the centre of plans to propel NSW towards a zero carbon economy.
“This legislative commitment by the NSW government marks a solid step forward in our collective fight against global heating,” Rewiring Australia Executive Director Dan Cass said. “To truly pivot towards a sustainable future, household electrification must be central to this strategy. Electrification is the rapid, cost-effective and proven path to significantly cut emissions while permanently slashing energy bills.”
Cass stressed the importance of the panel members’ experience and understanding of sustainable energy, investment, technology innovation, and public policy.
He proposed a live dashboard for the new commission to track renewable energy projects, including household and industry investment, fully electrified homes with solar panels, carbon abatement, regulatory reform, and workforce development, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of renewable energy progress.
“The Commission should provide independent expertise and steady long term vision to critique government policies beyond the limitations of the electoral cycle. It’s crucial that it includes comprehensive plans for household electrification and that it is wholly independent,” he added.
