NSW to cut emissions by 35 pct by 2030, attacks “vested interests and ideologues”

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Image Credit: AAP Image/Peter Rae

The NSW Liberal government is set to adopt a 2030 target to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 35 per cent by 2030, after NSW energy minister Matt Kean hit out at ‘vested interests and ideologues’ who are slowing action on climate change.

As reported in Nine newspapers, the NSW government is expected to announce that it has committed to reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 35 per cent by 2030, in a decision that has been signed off by the NSW cabinet.

The commitment would be the first interim goal set by the NSW government, following an earlier commitment to reach zero net emissions, and it will join other state and territory government that have also established interim emissions reduction targets that are substantially more ambitious that the 2030 target adopted by the federal government.

The Victorian government is currently in the process of deciding on interim targets to meet its own commitment of reaching zero net emissions by 2050, with an independent review led by former federal climate change minister Greg Combet recommending the state adopt a 2030 emissions reduction target of between 45 and 60 per cent below 2005 levels.

The ACT government set its own interim emissions reduction target, and will aim to reduce emissions by 65-75% below 1990 levels by 2030, building on the territory’s successful transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity that it achieved in October.

The Morrison government is currently defending its plans to reach its own 26 to 28 per cent 2030 emissions reduction target, yet reaching this target depends almost entirely on the use of surplus Kyoto credits, largely sources from a period where Australia was allowed to increase emissions rather than cut them.

More than 100 countries have moved  to prevent the use of legacy permits at climate negotiations in Madrid, and Kean has confirmed that the NSW government will not use any of the Kyoto Protocol-era permits to meet its own emissions reduction targets.

The adoption of a 2030 emissions reduction target would see the NSW Liberal-National government, with NSW being responsible for around a quarter of Australia’s overall greenhouse gas emissions, set a more ambitious target than that of their federal counterparts.

As many as 20,000 demonstrators marched through Sydney on Wednesday, demanding action on climate change, following weeks of unprecedent bushfires that have devastated communities and caused weeks of hazardous air pollution in Sydney.

Kean used a speech this week to the National Smart Energy Summit in Sydney to take a swipe at those with “vested interests and ideologues”, that was understood to be a pointed dig at some within his own party that have undermined efforts to establish effective climate and energy policies at a national level.

“We cannot allow ideology and politics to get in the way of our clear path to secure our economic prosperity, let alone the health of our planet for generations of Australians,” Kean told the National Smart Energy Conference.

“To those vested interests and ideologues who want to stand in the way of this transition, I say enjoy your Kodak moment because the energy iPhone is on its way.”

The NSW energy minister recently revealed plans to establish Australia’s first dedicated renewable energy zone in the state’s central west region, centred around the regional township of Dubbo, that will see up to 3,000MW of additional renewable energy capacity added to NSW’s energy system.

Michael Mazengarb is a Sydney-based reporter with RenewEconomy, writing on climate change, clean energy, electric vehicles and politics. Before joining RenewEconomy, Michael worked in climate and energy policy for more than a decade.

Comments

4 responses to “NSW to cut emissions by 35 pct by 2030, attacks “vested interests and ideologues””

  1. Ken Dyer Avatar
    Ken Dyer

    WHAT. A. JOKE.

    The Australian Government’s current target for Australia is to reduce emissions by 26% by 2030 on 2005 levels,
    By 2030, this means that 138MT may have been eliminated if there are any actually reduction strategies in place, leaving a further 394 MT outstanding. As the current LNP Federal government has no target beyond 2030, that means that emissions will keep rising. The LNP government wanting to include 2008 Kyoto credits, an accounting trick, the net result in 2050 will be very close to if not exceeding the 2019 emissions.

    Compare this weak gutless “effort” to Denmark, who, in a display of government bi-partisanship, has passed an emissions target of 70% against 1990 levels, reaching zero emissions by 2050. This is just less than the Greens, who want zero emissions by 2040, with 73% reductions by 2030 on 2005 levels, which I think is doable, but it would be a huge radical shakeup of the entire Australian and the NSW economies.

    If Denmark’s percentages were applied against Australia’s current emissions (560MT-2019), it means that by 2030, 392 MT would have been eliminated, leaving only a further 169MT to be disposed of by 2050.

    if New South Wales had adopted Sweden’s target, they might be believable. Until then, it is all literally smoke and mirrors.

    No wonder Australia was sent to the dunce corner at COP25, and holds the world record for number of times fossil of the day has been awarded.

  2. Mal Avatar
    Mal

    As is my boring little habit in my boring little world I read an article then the comments then look at the generation data. I worry for my grandkids but there parents dont seem to. At the end of all this the
    data shows little old SA producing a large percentage of renewables. What the fuck is wrong with the rest of the states. Not even bothering to mention the God bothers federally

  3. rob Avatar
    rob

    Other people can say fcuk etc here but my comments (some of them) are pre moderated….. Why pray tell?

  4. rob Avatar
    rob

    Talk is very cheap (in this one) says Darth Vader

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