The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has released a Climate Change Policy and Action Plan 2023–26, ‘outlining a bold set of actions that will help NSW reach net-zero emissions by 2050’.
NSW EPA Chief Executive Officer, Tony Chappel, said the plan ‘provides a roadmap for how the state’s environmental regulator will address the causes and consequences of climate change.’
On page 14 of the EPA’s Climate Change Policy, a breakdown of NSW greenhouse gas emissions (2018–19) – and description of coverage by the EPA’s regulatory remit – is provided.
Emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation are the most significant of emissions, accounting for 52Mt, or 38 per cent. Fossil fuel combustion emissions used in transport (road, rail, aviation and shipping) make up 28Mt, or 20 per cent.
Agriculture is 16Mt, or 12 per cent (methane emission etc). Emissions from fossil fuel combustion used in manufacturing is 15Mt, or 11 per cent, while emissions from the extraction and distribution of coal and natural gas is also 13Mt. Emissions owing to waste disposal, treatment and processing, including domestic and industrial wastewater, is 5Mt, or four per cent.
The 71-page Action Plan outlines what the NSW government is already doing with regards to addressing climate change, and proposes new actions to undertake over the next three years.
These actions are informing and planning, mitigation, adaption.
One action cited is ‘Requiring net-zero emissions from new electricity infrastructure’.
Both PDF documents are available via www.epa.nsw.gov.au.
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