NSW Net Zero Commission Chair appointed

Nicholas Rowley has been appointed Chair of the NSW Net Zero Commission, which plays a crucial role in keeping NSW on track to meet its emissions reduction targets.

The Net Zero Commission is another example of the NSW Government’s strong action on climate change under the landmark Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023.

Under Mr Rowley’s leadership, the Commission will continue to help monitor, review, advise on and report the state’s progress towards emissions reduction targets.

Mr Rowley is well placed to spearhead the Commission as Chair, bringing more than 25 years’ experience advising and leading on environment and climate policy in Australia, the UK and internationally.

Mr Rowley’s five-year term commenced on 1 September 2025, following his appointment as a Commissioner by the NSW Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC SC. He joins seven existing Commissioners:

• Ms Meg McDonald
• Ms Maria Atkinson AM
• Mr Oliver Costello
• Professor Frank Jotzo
• Ms Katerina Kimmorley
• Professor Andrew Pitman AO
• Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte – Chief Scientist and Engineer (Ex-officio member)

For more information about the Net Zero Commission, visit https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/nsw-plans-and-progress/government-strategies-and-frameworks/net-zero-commission.

Quote attributable to Minister for Climate Change, Penny Sharpe:

“I would like to congratulate Mr Rowley on his appointment to this important position. I am confident his leadership of the Net Zero Commission will help NSW continue on its clear path towards net zero.

“I would like to thank Dr Paul Grimes, who led the Commission as the inaugural Chair, and Meg McDonald who acted as Interim Chair, ensuring the work of the Commission continued seamlessly.”

Bio – Mr Nick Rowley

Mr Rowley has more than 25 years’ experience advising and leading on environment and climate policy in Australia and internationally.

Early in his career he worked with former NSW Premier, The Hon. Bob Carr, on climate and wider environment policy. During this time, NSW advocated for a national state-based emissions trading scheme, established one of the world’s first mandatory emissions trading schemes and led the national debate on ratifying the Kyoto protocol.

Mr Rowley went on to work in the Downing Street Policy Directorate where his role advising The Rt Hon. Sir Tony Blair KG on climate issues for two years proved instrumental, particularly in the lead-up to the 2005 G8 meeting when climate response was made an issue for Heads of State.

He also played a pivotal role in helping initiate the influential Stern Review into the Economics of Climate Change.

He has written widely on climate policy, advised climate advocates, senior business leaders, and policy decision makers in Australia and globally.

As an educator, Mr Rowley has developed and taught core courses for the Master of Public Policy at the University of Sydney and graduate courses on effective climate policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

He currently holds positions as Honorary Associate Professor at Australian National University’s Crawford School of Public Policy and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures.