NSW to change carbon emissions targets. Source : Freepikcompany
New South Wales has set a new carbon emissions target in an effort to put the state at the front of a low-carbon economy.
The target will see the state decreasing greenhouse emissions by 70 per cent by 2035.
While NSW is currently on track to meet the currently defined targets of halving emissions by 2030, however Treasurer Matt Kean wants to push the state further.
“There is no bigger fight that we as a nation must face, than the fight against climate change.” Mr Kean said.
“Many communities across the country have spent the last few years choking on the dust of drought, or on the smoke of bushfires.
“Now, many of those same communities have seen their homes and businesses inundated with one-in-a-thousand-year floods, three times in the space of nine months.
“We’ve set our clear targets…we’ve got the policies legislated that will meet those targets.” He said.
The new target was outlined in an update to the NSW government’s net zero implementation plan.
If the new target was reached, emissions would be reduced by the equivalent of 55.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
It may also support over 13,000 jobs in regional NSW and drive $39 billion in investment.
Climate Council head of advocacy Jennifer Rayner praised the move.
“There is a real sense of momentum towards a clean future in Australia this year.” Ms Rayner said.
“We’ve seen much stronger targets for renewable energy and emissions reduction announced in Queensland, Victoria, and now NSW.
“It’s great to see states jostling to be at the front of the pack in the race to net zero and Australians will reap the benefits.” She said.
The NSW Coalition government has also obtained the support from the opposition with the move, however they criticised the Coalition’s handling of the situation.
Climate change spokesperson Jihad Dib said if the Treasurer was serious about fighting climate change, then he and the Coalition would have previously supported Labor’s attempts to legislate targets.
NSW will continue their emissions targets past 2035, with their net zero by 2050 target the final goal.
