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NSW Greenhouse Plan

NSW Climate Action Plan

The NSW Government is currently in the process of developing a Climate Action Plan, which will replace the existing NSW Greenhouse Plan. The new Plan is intended to be finalised by mid 2009. In the interim period, the NSW Greenhouse Plan remains current government policy.

NSW Greenhouse Plan

The NSW Greenhouse Plan was released in November 2005. The plan provides a strategic approach to combating climate change in NSW from 2005 to 2008. The NSW Greenhouse Plan sets out action to reduce the emissions of its own activities and to work with other stakeholders to reduce the emissions from their activities.

The Plan took into account community submissions, consultations with Government agencies and advice provided by the Government's independent Greenhouse Advisory Panel (now known as the NSW Climate Change Council).

What are the principles and goals of the NSW Greenhouse Plan?

The Plan recognises the need for immediate and sustainable action to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Key principles and goals are to:
  • raise awareness of climate issues within the broader community
  • promote understanding of the likely impacts on NSW, and identify adaptation strategies
  • raise awareness of climate issues within the broader community
  • limit the growth of greenhouse gas emissions and reduce these emissions in NSW
  • promote climate change partnerships by Government, individuals, industry, business and community groups
  • reduce business uncertainties by establishing carbon constraints in order to promote new investment and innovation
  • identify strategic areas for cooperative work with other Australian jurisdictions including a national emissions trading scheme.

What are the policy and program initiatives in the Greenhouse Plan?

Energy is the largest and one of the fastest growing emission generating sectors.  Key initiatives in the Greenhouse Plan include:

  • the review and extension of the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme to 2020
  • standard labelling of greenhouse performance on electricity bills
  • a requirement for retailers to offer Green Power.

Commercial and residential buildings contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Key initiatives to address this include:

  • minimum greenhouse emissions standards for buildings
  • point of sale disclosure of home efficiency ratings to assist prospective home buyers.

Transport contributes 15% of total NSW emissions and grew by 20% between 1990 and 2002. Key measures in the Plan include:

  • voluntary 'green vehicle registration' to allow drivers to offset their vehicle's emissions
  • a environmental rating scheme for trucks and buses.

Emissions from the decay of municipal waste, industrial processes and fugitive emissions from fossil fuel production together contributed around 20% of NSW emissions in 2002. Key measures include:

  • development of a Waste Infrastructure Planning Strategy
  • new guidelines on the recovery of energy from waste
  • greenhouse gas emissions guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessments.

Agriculture emissions contributed 14% of NSW total emissions in 2002, including emissions from land clearing, soils and livestock. Key measures include:

  • allowing Catchment Management Authorities to bring together revegetation projects to realise their carbon value
  • strengthening the Climatology in Agriculture program, to help farmers adapt to climate change
  • research on carbon sequestration through improved soil and vegetation management.

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Page last updated: 13 October 2008