2023-10-13
The NSW Government will today introduce their net zero bill into the Parliament that will legislate emissions reductions of 50% reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050 and establish a net zero commission to advise the Government on reaching these targets. The bill has eight guiding principles including that action to address climate change should be taken in a way that is fiscally responsible.
Greens MP and spokesperson for Climate Change Sue Higginson said “The Greens welcome this net zero legislation brought by the Government but the unambitious targets they have set will result in hundreds of billions of dollars in costs for the people of NSW and risk destabilising the ecology and economy of the state. We are being called on by the international community to take swift, radical action on climate - this legislation should set us on the path to do this.
“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,”
“Australia is the third largest exporter of coal in the world and the associated emissions are directly driving the climate crisis. In NSW, we have the largest coal export terminal in the world, and we have a responsibility for the emissions that those coal exports will create when burnt,”
“The impacts of climate driven events will reduce property values in Australia by $571 billion and reduce agricultural and labour productivity by $19 billion by the year 2030. These costs blow out to $611 billion for property and $211 billion for agriculture and labour by 2050. Reaching net zero by 2050, and the costs associated for NSW by the same year, show just how fiscally irresponsible these targets are,”
“The bill sets a broad adaptation objective which will need to address the whole of landscape and community issues that arise from the impacts of climate change in order to be effective. That’s why the Greens are taking the lead on the inquiry into the planning system and its climate readiness. The climate crisis has become about so much more than emissions reductions, the Government must be looking at the consequences that inaction have already created and preparing to keep the NSW community and environment safe from the worst impacts,”
“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,” Ms Higginson said.
For media contact call Sue Higginson 0428 227 363