29 September | NSW Coalition reach climate consensus

The Liberals and National Party agreeing on climate policy? Only in NSW it seems.

NSW Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean and the NSW Government today have proven that the coalition can be sensible when it comes to climate policy, unveiling their new target to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.

The commitment to slash carbon emissions by 47 to 52 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 assumes the continuation of coal mining in NSW while also guaranteeing lower power prices and increased energy reliability.

It is expected the emissions target will trigger a $37 billion investment windfall, create 9,000 jobs, save the average household $130 a year on their electricity bills and save an average business $430 a year.

The interim target brings NSW in line with South Australia and Victoria’s 2030 targets.

The plan has the support of the NSW Nationals, with Deputy Premier John Barilaro remarking that regional communities will also experience the benefits of transition, stating "whether it is in modern manufacturing, minerals or agriculture, regional NSW is home to the skills, infrastructure and resources needed as the demand for low emissions technologies like batteries and hydrogen grows".

This show of coalition unity in NSW comes at a time when there is a growing public divide amongst the Federal Coalition over setting net zero emissions by 2050. NSW Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean said his colleagues in federal parliament were "not being ambitious enough". Further stating, "my message to the Commonwealth is get on with it, this is not only the right thing to do, it is also the economically rational thing to do, because it is in our nation's economic interest".

The Federal Government has the current position that net zero will "preferably" be reached by 2050 and has committed to reducing emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2030.

To read the media release put out by the NSW Government today, click here.