12th October 2023
The Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales (NCC), the state’s leading environmental advocacy organisation, has today welcomed the NSW Government's establishment of the Net Zero Commission, and the legislating of NSW's 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets.
“It's great to see that just six months after taking office, one of the Minns Government's key election commitments has been delivered,” NCC CEO Jacqui Mumford said today.
“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” Mumford continued.
“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.”
However, Mumford warned that short-term decisions could undermine NSW’s climate record.
“The Minns Government can’t prop up the largest coal plant in the country without seriously undermining its climate agenda.
“The people of NSW are bracing for another horror summer of extreme weather conditions driven by the release of carbon and methane pollution."
“It's great that the NSW Government has also publicly recognised it's responsibility to contribute to keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees." Mumford said.
"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."
“Native forest logging and habitat clearing for agricultural development must also end – the more than 10 million tonnes of carbon they release annually accounts for more emissions than every house in Sydney."
Statement ends
Media contact: Clancy Barnard
E: [email protected] Ph: 0438 869 332
Note: NCC CEO Jacqui Mumford is available for comment on request