Climate change in New South Wales

Climate change in New South Wales affects various environments and industries, including agriculture.

## Greenhouse gas emissions

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New South Wales' emissions decreased from 152.74 million tonnes in 2005 to 111.0 million tonnes in 2022 representing a reduction of 27.3% over this time period.[1]

## Impacts of climate change

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### Wildlife

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Eastern blue gropers appear to be in decline in NSW coastal waters.[2]

### Flooding

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Large areas across the state experienced significant flooding in 2021.[3]

### Farming

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Flower farmers experienced winter blooms for the first time in the 2024 winter.[4]

## Response

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### Policies

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In 2024, the New South Wales government started requiring considering the 2030 emissions target in planning decisions, the proposals for which had been criticized by property developers.[5][6] In 2024 the NSW government approved the state's largest-ever mining proposal.[7]

In 2021 the state strengthened its existing target for a 35% reduction from 2005 to 2035 to a 50% reduction from 2005 to 2030.[8] The state has had a binding target of a reduction of emissions of 70% by 2035, compared to 2005 levels since 2024.[9]

In 2023, the City of Sydney voted to ban gas connections and mandate that all new buildings must be all-electric.[10]

### Legislation

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#### Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020

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Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020

Parliament of New South Wales

Long title

* An Act to co-ordinate investment in new generation, storage and network infrastructure in New South Wales; and for other purposes.

Citation| 2020 No 44
Assented to| 2020-12-02
Keywords
emissions targets
Status: In force

The Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 sets out the New South Wales Government's comprehensive plan to decarbonise its energy system.[11]

Under the Act, "renewable energy zones" were created in order to fast track infrastructure development.[12]

#### Electric Vehicles (Revenue Arrangements) Act 2021

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Electric Vehicles (Revenue Arrangements) Act 2021

Parliament of New South Wales

Long title

* An Act to provide for a system of distance-related road user charges for zero and low emissions vehicles and to amend the Duties Act 1997 to exempt certain zero and low emissions vehicles from the payment of duty under Chapter 9 of that Act.

Citation| 2021 No 25
Assented to| 2021-11-01
Keywords
emissions targets
Status: In force

In September 2022, the takeup of electric cars reached 30%. In order to make up for fuel excise revenue, the New South Wales government announced a tax of 2.5 cents per kilometre for electric cars, with a rate for plug-in electric vehicles of 2 cents per kilometre.[13]

## See also

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* Climate change in Australia

## References

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1. ^ Shine, Rhiannon (2024-04-24). "WA's greenhouse gas emissions continue to climb above 2005 levels despite net zero pledge". ABC. Archived from the original on 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
2. ^ Peter, de Kruijff (2025-02-17). "Eastern blue gropers 'appear to be declining' in NSW coastal water with climate change: study". ABC. Archived from the original on 2025-02-17. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
3. ^ Readfearn, Graham (2021-03-22). "Is NSW flooding a year after bushfires yet more evidence of climate change?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
4. ^ Middleton, Emily (2024-09-06). "Flower farmers in western NSW pick blooms through winter for first time". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
5. ^ Hannam, Peter (2024-05-19). "New rules for NSW polluters to require 'credible' plan for mitigating climate impact". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
6. ^ Hannam, Peter (2022-03-27). "Property developers fight NSW bid to make houses more energy-efficient and climate-resilient". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
7. ^ Readfearn, Graham (2024-05-31). "'Largest ever' NSW coalmine plan will put pressure on state's net zero target, watchdog says". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
8. ^ Raper, Ashleigh (2021-09-28). "'The right thing to do': NSW sets ambitious emissions target despite coal industry growth, federal deadlock". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
9. ^ Hannam, Peter (2023-03-03). "NSW government called out on net zero goal as own data projects coal and gas emissions until 2050". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
10. ^ citymetricstaff (2023-08-24). "Sydney looks to turn off the gas". CityMonitor. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
11. ^ Lake, Katherine (2023-04-01). "'Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020' (NSW): Key provisions and legal issues for project investors to consider". Australian Resources and Energy Law Journal. 42 (1): 89–102\. doi:10.3316/informit.T2024071800020191987369605.
12. ^ Macdonald-Smith, Angela (2022-11-24). "Costs hamper effort to deliver NSW Renewable Energy Zones". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 2022-11-23. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
13. ^ Mulach, Jordan (2022-09-20). "NSW Government announces electric-car road-user charges to make up for lost fuel excise revenue". Drive. Archived from the original on 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2022-09-20.

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Climate change in Australia

* Climate change

Measurement and attribution|

* Greenhouse gas emissions

Politics and mitigation|

* Carbon pricing in Australia
* Clean Energy Act 2011
* Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Act 2014
* Climate Change Act 2022

Organisations|

* Net Zero Economy Authority
* Climate Change Authority
* Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

By region|

* Australian Capital Territory
* New South Wales
* Northern Territory
* Queensland
* South Australia
* Tasmania
* Victoria
* Western Australia

Effects of climate change|

* Drought
* Weather extremes
* Sea level rise
* Coastal erosion
* Effects of climate change on biomes
* Extinction risk (e.g. Numbat)
* Invasive species (e.g. Gamba grass)

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