Big polluters will be forced to come clean on emissions under proposed rule change

NSW will insist big polluters hand over transparent and reliable information on the environmental impact of new projects as the state struggles towards meeting its emissions targets.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority said on Monday that draft planning system changes would for the first time put certain requirements on those behind high-emitting sites like coal mines and landfill operations.

They included the need for them to provide “robust and consistent information” about potential greenhouse gas emissions and for them to align with the state’s net-zero targets.

The changes, once approved, would be at the forefront of making sure NSW planning laws helped achieve the legislated emissions goals, the regulator said.

The targets include a 50 per cent cut to 2005 emissions levels by 2030, a 70 per cent cut by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050.

Official projections show the state is likely to fall short of those goals, which environmental groups say calls into question government decisions to approve several coal-mine expansions.

Mining projects are forecast to make significant contributions to the state’s emissions over the coming decade before trailing off by 2050.

EPA chief executive Tony Chappel said stricter planning controls gave polluters “transparency and certainty” as the state moved towards net zero.

“It is an essential part of our work to guarantee industry makes a meaningful contribution to put us back on track and help us achieve our 2050 net-zero targets,” he said in a statement.

“It also fulfils calls for clearer support on what’s expected and will set a new standard for climate action in future major projects across NSW.”

Public consultation runs until the end of June on the draft, which would force polluters to show methods for calculating expected emissions and identify measures to reduce emissions.

NSW is at risk of losing 500 species due to climate change as it tries to balance conservation with pressing energy needs, which has prompted the government to enter into talks about extending the life of the major Eraring coal plant.

Source: AAP