The New South Wales government’s landmark Climate Change (Net Zero Future) bill has passed through both houses of parliament with multi-party support — this paves the way for action to be taken to secure a sustainable future for the people, economy and environment of NSW.
The bill legislates ambitious emissions reduction targets and sets up a strong and independent Net Zero Commission to keep the state government on track to reaching net zero by 2050.
Essential to the state, the bill will contribute to the minimisation of climate change while building resilience and maximising opportunities from new technologies and industries
The Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act will:
- require NSW to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50 per cent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels
- require NSW to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent by 2035 compared to 2005 levels
- require NNSW to achieve net zero emissions by 2050
- establish an independent Net Zero Commission to monitor, review, report on and advise on progress towards these targets
- establish guiding principles to address climate change
- commit to NSW becoming more resilient to climate change.
It builds on progress which has already seen NSW achieve an 18 per cent reduction on 2005 levels of greenhouse gas emissions, by going beyond aspirational targets and enshrining them in law.
The Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill will soon be signed into law by the NSW governor Margaret Beazley.
NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy and the Environment Penny Sharpe said: “This Bill provides certainty for industry, business, investors and all sectors of the New South Wales economy, and shows them they are not alone in responding to this challenge.”
The Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill will soon be signed into law by the NSW governor Margaret Beazley.
