The State of New South Wales
Population: 6.927 million (2007 census)
GHG Emissions: 160 Mt CO2e (2006)
Targets/Goals
- A 60% cut in greenhouse emissions by 2050
- Cutting greenhouse emissions to year 2000 levels by 2025
- Government to be carbon neutral by 2020
Top Actions
Energy Efficiency
- Energy Efficiency Trading Scheme: NSW
implemented the first energy efficiency certificates ('white
certificates') trading scheme in the world in 2003. The New
South Wales Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme required
electricity retailers and other parties are required by legislation
to meet mandatory targets for reducing the emission of greenhouse
gases resulting from the electricity they supply or consume. The
Scheme has already delivered energy efficient light bulbs to 20% of
NSW homes. The NSW Government is revitalising this Scheme by
setting a new target to increase energy efficiency activity under
the scheme (to come on line in January 2009). Retailers will be
required to pursue additional energy efficiency measures in
households and businesses. NSW's performance will be published
every 12 months so that the whole community can be part of our
energy savings campaign.
- The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX)
Since July 2004, all new single dwelling residential developments
in NSW are required to achieve a 40% reduction in water
consumption, and a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions,
compared to the average NSW home (9.5 million tonnes of greenhouse
emissions over 10 years).
- Energy Savings Fund The Government has
established the Water and Energy Savings Funds to provide
incentives, particularly for businesses, to introduce measures to
make sure they use water and energy more wisely. AU$500m over 5
years.
- The NSW Government has announced a AU$150.5 million package of
measures to be undertaken as part of the NSW Energy
Efficiency Strategy. It includes community awareness
campaign; low income household refits; programs targeting small,
medium and large businesses; skills development for trades and
professionals; mandating energy efficiency actions by State's top
users. [NSW Government Action Plan for Energy Efficiency].
Specifically, this includes:
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6000 small to medium businesses receiving help to conduct energy efficiency audits to save energy and reduce energy bills through the AU$15 million Small Business Energy Efficiency Program. Participating businesses will contribute 50% of the cost.
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Spending a further $20 million over five years to expand the Sustainability Advantage Program by 800 more to a total of 1000 organisations and strengthen energy efficiency initiatives.
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Renewable Energy
- Introduced legislation for mandatory renewable energy targets
for electricity consumed in New South Wales (10% by 2010 and 15% by
2020).
- The Renewable Energy Development Program (part of the AU$240 million Climate Change Fund) provides funding for the demonstration and early commercialisation of new renewable energy technologies, including new emerging technologies such as solar thermal systems and geothermal technologies and new designs for other more established technologies using the sun, wind, waves and tides to generate energy. The Renewable Energy Development Program is expected to deliver annual savings of 134,000 of direct annual greenhouse gas reductions.
Transportation
- The introduction of a voluntary green vehicle registration
programme allowing people to choose to pay more and have their
emissions offset by planting trees.
- An environmental rating scheme for heavy vehicles to recognise
better environmental performance and new leading edge technologies
used in trucks and buses.
- Improving rail services though The Rail Clearways Program and bus services through bus reform, including the Passenger Transport Amendment (Bus Reform) Act 2004.
Waste management
- Providing credit under the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme
for emissions abatement due to avoided waste disposal.
- Developing a Waste Infrastructure Planning Strategy and guidelines on the recovery of energy from waste.
Promoting low carbon technology
- Establishing an AU$340 million Climate Change Fund to drive the
next generation of energy and water savings measures. NSW
householders have taken up 28,581 rebates under the NSW Climate
Change Fund, totalling $14.8 million. They include 16,837 rebates
for rainwater tanks, 4,562 rebates for ceiling insulation and 7,182
rebates for hot water systems, saving 757 million litres of water
and 22,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year.
- The undertaking of a major study to identify promising long-term solutions, including new technology, to help achieve future emission reductions.
Legislative measures
- The NSW Government introduced the worlds first carbon rights
legislation in 1998. The Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme
establishes a local market for emissions reductions and greenhouse
credits. This legislation recognizes carbon sequestration
(absorption and storage) by forests in law.
- Leading the development of a national emissions trading scheme.
Land Use Management
- Improving estimates of carbon sequestered through improved soil
and vegetation management.
- Piloting a system which allows a Catchment Management Authority to bring together revegetation projects to seek to realise their carbon value.
Supporting Actions
- Implement procurement policies within our own government operations
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- NSW Government agencies will have to meet greenhouse gas emissions targets for energy use in buildings and improve the energy efficiency of their office buildings. They will be audited and brought up to 4 1⁄2 NABERS star rating by 2011.
- The NSW Government Sustainability Policy will also include requirements for water savings, cleaner car fleets, and waste and resource use reduction.
- Develop, implement, and share strategies to enhance adaptive capacity
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- Developing a capacity building program to support adaptation within state and local government, interested industry organisations and the non-government sector.
- Establishing an impacts and adaptation research program, researching likely bushfire, water availability, flooding, biodiversity, weeds and pests, human health, coastal impacts, and impacts on agriculture and infrastructure, amongst other things.
- Incorporating climate change into current environmental monitoring systems.
- Promote existing and new regional partnerships on climate change.