• About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Events
Friday, June 13, 2025
Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Events
  • Features
  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Renewables
    • Batteries & Storage
    • Hydro Power
    • Hydrogen
    • Solar
    • Wind
  • Smart Energy
No Results
View All Results
  • News
    • Events
  • Features
  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Renewables
    • Batteries & Storage
    • Hydro Power
    • Hydrogen
    • Solar
    • Wind
  • Smart Energy
No Results
View All Results
Home Energy Efficiency

NSW EPA releases draft of climate change plan

by Ciaran O'Mahony
September 12, 2022
in Energy Efficiency, News, Renewable Energy, Smart Energy, Sustainability
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Tree canopy
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has released its new draft Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, which involves working with industry, experts and the community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support climate resilience. 

New South Wales EPA Chief Executive Officer, Tony Chappel, said the EPA has proposed a set of robust actions to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 (from 2005 levels), ensure net zero emissions by 2050, and improve resilience to climate change impacts. 

“New South Wales has ambitious targets that align with the world’s best scientific advice and the Paris commitments, to limit global warming to an average of 1.5 degrees in order to avoid severe impacts on ecosystems,” Mr Chappel said.

“Over the past few years we have seen first-hand just how destructive the impacts of climate change are becoming, not only for our environment, but for New South Wales communities too.

“We know the EPA has a critical role to play in achieving the New South Wales Government’s net-zero targets and responding to the increasing threat of climate change induced weather events.

“Equally, acting on climate presents major economic opportunities for New South Wales in new industries such as clean energy, hydrogen, green metals, circular manufacturing, natural capital and regenerative agriculture.”

Key actions outlined in the EPA’s plan include: 

  • Working with industry, government and experts to improve the evidence base on climate change
  • Supporting licensees prepare, implement and report on climate change mitigation and adaptation plans
  • Partnering with NSW Government agencies to address climate change during the planning and assessment process for activities the EPA regulates
  • Establishing cost-effective emission reduction targets for key industry sectors
  • Providing industry best-practice guidelines to support them to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions
  • Phasing in the introduction of greenhouse gas emission limits on environment protection licences for key industry sectors
  • Developing and implementing resilience programs, best-practice adaptation guidance and harnessing citizen science and education programs
  • Working with EPA Aboriginal and Youth Advisory Committees to improve the EPA’s evolving climate change response

“This draft policy sends a clear signal to regulated industries that we will be working with them to support and drive cost-effective decarbonisation, while implementing adaptation initiatives that build resilience to climate change risks,” Mr Chappel said. 

“Our draft plan proposes a staged approach that ensures the actions the EPA takes are deliberate, well informed and complement government and industry actions on climate change. These actions will support industry and allow reasonable time for businesses to plan for and meet any new targets or requirements.

“Climate change is an issue that we all face so it’s important that we take this journey together and all play our part in protecting our environment and communities for generations to come.”

New South Wales EPA Acting Chair, Carolyn Walsh, said the EPA is a partner in supporting and building on the State Government’s work to address climate change for the people of New South Wales. 

“The draft Policy and Action Plan adopts, supports and builds on the strong foundations that have been set by the New South Wales Government through the New South Wales Climate Change Policy Framework, Net Zero Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy,” Ms Walsh said.

Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie, welcomed the New South Wales EPA’s leadership on turning government targets for cutting emissions into tangible actions.

“The New South Wales EPA has been clear that their new policy is designed to work hand-in-hand with stronger federal laws on pollution – like those that should be delivered through a reformed Safeguard Mechanism – and the inclusion of emissions in federal environmental assessments,” Ms McKenzie said. 

“We need to see this kind of action federally too so that all levels of government are working in tandem to deliver the deep emissions cuts Australia must achieve this decade.”

However, the Climate Council noted that, “The draft EPA policy has a significant gap in its treatment of pollution from new fossil fuel projects.” 

“Any regulatory process that still leaves the door open to new coal and gas projects won’t deliver on the EPA’s clear, court-ordered duty of preventing climate harms. The final policy needs to be clear that there is no room for new coal and gas if we are to keep global warming within safe limits.” 

The EPA will work with stakeholders, including licensees, councils, other government agencies, and the community to implement the plan.

The draft EPA Climate Change Policy and Action Plan is available at https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au/ and comments are open until 3 November 2022.

Feature image: Provided. 

Related Posts via Categories

  • Work begins on QLD hydrogen training hub
  • QLD increases EV rebate to improve scheme accessibility
  • NSW releases dashboard tracking Net Zero progress
  • Australia must address skills/labour shortages for clean energy transition
  • Australia’s largest VPP grows again 
  • AEMO’s plan for 75 per cent renewable energy by 2025
  • Top Energy stories for 2019
  • SA Virtual power plant contributes to a secure and reliable network
  • Net zero energy homes trial receives funding
  • Sydney heritage train becomes world’s first solar powered train

Related Posts

Image: Genus 

Genus lands new $130M nbn contract

by Katie Livingston
June 12, 2025

National essential power and communications infrastructure provider, GenusPlus Group has entered into a new contract with NBN Co to support its...

Image: Milbsie/stock.adobe.com

Green light for Valley of the Winds

by Katie Livingston
June 12, 2025

The State Significant Development (SSD) application for the Valley of the Winds wind farm has been approved by the New...

Image: Kookkii/stock.adobe.com

Report: National body needed to unlock CER benefits

by Katie Livingston
June 12, 2025

Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) has shared a new report, which recommends that a dedicated and enduring national body is needed...

Read our magazine

Join our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.
Energy is a thought-leading, technology-neutral magazine, developed to help the industry answer some of the Energy sector critical questions it is currently grappling with.

Subscribe to our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.

About Energy

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Digital Magazine
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Collection Notice
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics

  • News
  • Spotlight
  • Renewable Energy
  • Electricity
  • Projects
  • Networks
  • Sustainability
  • Gas

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited

No Results
View All Results
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Events
  • Features
  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Renewables
    • Batteries & Storage
    • Hydro Power
    • Hydrogen
    • Solar
    • Wind
  • Smart Energy
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Newsletter

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited