Protecting the Environment and Addressing Climate Change

Labor has a raft of policies to protect our environment and address climate change, including:

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Labor will introduce a Renewable Energy Target for NSW

Labor will introduce a Renewable Energy Target for NSW. Labor’s Renewable Energy Target will be set in law as part of a new Climate Change Act.

Labor’s Renewable Energy Target will require NSW to generate:

  • At least 50 per cent of our state’s energy from renewable sources by 2030; and
  • As close as possible to 100 per cent of our energy from renewable sources by 2050.

Labor will develop interim targets in government to meet these goals. This will include an interim target for 2025. Read our media release here.

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Labor will require the NSW Government to obtain all of its energy from renewable sources by 2025

Labor will require the NSW Government to obtain all of its energy from renewable sources by 2025.

Labor believes the NSW Government should lead by example. However, only 6 per cent of the NSW Government’s electricity is currently purchased from renewable sources.

Labor will conduct an audit of all NSW Government buildings to identify suitable opportunities for roof-top solar installation.

By switching the NSW Government’s energy use to renewable sources, Labor will take another step to establish a reliable level of demand for renewable energy in NSW. This will provide certainty, which will assist renewable energy suppliers to make long-term investments. Read our media release here.

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Labor will deliver cleaner and cheaper energy

To achieve Labor’s renewable energy goals, Labor will make the largest investments in renewable energy in the history of Australia.

Labor will deliver a total of 9 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030

Labor will deliver a total of 9 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030. Labor will deliver:

  • 6 gigawatts of renewable energy through reverse auctions;
  • 2 gigawatts of renewable energy through roof-top solar panels; and
  • 1 gigawatt of renewable energy through the activities of a new State Owned Corporation.

Labor’s plans to deliver new renewable energy through roof-top solar panels will:

  • Help an additional 500,000 households install roof-top solar panels, taking NSW to over 1 million solar households and
  • Help these households save up to $1000 per year on their electricity bills.
  • Read more about our Solar Homes Policy here.

Labor’s plans to deliver new renewable energy through reverse auctions and a new State Owned Corporation will:

  • Create enough renewable energy to power more than 3 million homes – equivalent to the current number of NSW homes;
  • Put downward pressure on household electricity bills;
  • Supply up to nearly 27 per cent of the current demand for electricity in NSW;
  • Create more than 13,000 direct jobs across regional NSW;
  • Create $9.5 billion of new infrastructure investment; and
  • Create an additional $5 billion of economic benefits.
  • Read more about our plan to create a clean energy industry boom in regional NSW here.

Labor’s plan will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18 million tonnes per year. This is:

  • 14 per cent of current emissions from NSW; and
  • Equivalent to taking 5.7 million cars off the road – more than the total number of cars currently on the road in NSW (4.2 million).

Labor will support the roll-out of electric cars

Labor will support the roll-out of electric cars in NSW.

Labor will:

  • Require 25 per cent of the NSW Government’s car fleet to use electric vehicles by 2025; and
  • Allocate $10 million to support the roll-out of new fast-charging stations across NSW.

Labor’s plan will prevent NSW being left-behind other jurisdictions. The Government of California is on-track to have 25 per cent of its car fleet comprised of electric vehicles by 2020.

Labor will support renewable energy jobs

Labor will support job creation in the renewable energy sector by:

  • Making TAFE free for courses relating to renewable energy;
  • Requiring 20 per cent of work on major NSW Government construction projects to be allocated to apprentices, trainees, Indigenous Australians and people who have been long-term unemployed;
  • Investing $11 million to help train and accredit 4,500 electricians to install and maintain solar panels and batteries (read our media release here); and
  • Introducing a Solar Industry Guarantee to allow businesses who manufacture or assemble solar technology in NSW to enter into long-term supply agreements with the new State Owned Corporation.

Labor will work to extend the Solar Industry Guarantee long-term supply agreements to companies participating in the reverse auction process. This will:

  • Provide certainty for solar industry businesses to hire new workers;
  • Help businesses in the solar industry secure financing;
  • Ensure the NSW Government provides support to local businesses as a reliable customer; and
  • Assist the solar industry in NSW to grow so that it can expand into other Australian states and overseas.

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Labor supports the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050

Labor supports the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

This goal means that, by 2050, NSW would only emit as much carbon as could be absorbed through natural processes or otherwise removed from the atmosphere.

Labor will put NSW on the path to achieving net zero emissions by making the largest investments in renewable energy in Australia’s history.

Labor will also achieve this goal by:

  • Convening a Climate Change Response Summit;
  • Developing a Climate Action Plan; and
  • Introducing a Climate Change Act.

Labor will hold a Climate Change Response Summit

A Daley Labor Government will hold a Climate Change Response Summit in its first year in office.

The Climate Change Response Summit will provide an opportunity for people to come together and develop the pathway NSW will take to achieve the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Labor’s Climate Change Response Summit will bring together:

  • Scientists, engineers, economists and other experts;
  • Members of the community;
  • Representatives from different industries;
  • Representatives from regulatory bodies; and
  • Representatives from the Commonwealth Government and local councils.

Labor will develop a Climate Action Plan and introduce a Climate Change Act

The outcomes from the Climate Change Response Summit will be used to develop a Climate Action Plan. This plan will specify the actions NSW will take to achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

Labor will pass a Climate Change Act to enshrine the Climate Action Plan in law. This will provide long-term certainty for industry and the community regarding the actions NSW will take to achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

Read our media release on our Climate Change Plan here.

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Labor will deliver cleaner air

Labor will adopt higher standards to limit air pollution

Labor will adopt higher standards to limit larger particles in air pollution. These larger particles are known as “PM10”.

PM10 particles typically include:

  • Dust from roads; and
  • Particles associated with construction activities.

PM10 particles:

  • Can be inhaled;
  • Can irritate the eyes and throat; and
  • Can cause people with existing heart or lung conditions (including asthma) to experience an increase in symptoms, including wheezing and difficulty breathing.

In 2015, the National Clean Air Agreement was adopted by the Commonwealth and all states and territories. This agreement included an annual average PM10 standard of 25 micrograms per cubic meter. However, Victoria and the ACT opted to implement a stricter threshold of 20 micrograms per cubic metre. The stricter standard adopted by Victoria and the ACT is consistent with the recommendation of the World Health Organisation.

Labor will bring NSW into line with the World Health Organization recommendation of 20 micrograms per cubic metre for PM10 air pollution.

Labor will complete the load based licensing scheme review

The load-based licensing scheme has operated since 1999. This scheme:

  • Requires certain environment protection licensees to pay part of their licence fees based on the load of pollutants their activities release to the environment; and
  • Aims to achieve better environmental and economic outcomes by setting clear minimum standards for environmental performance, using incentives for ongoing pollution reduction, increasing regulatory transparency and the tracking of emissions reductions.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is currently reviewing the scheme.

Labor acknowledges there are complexities with applying the scheme to coal mining. Labor will:

  • Undertake further consultation with a broad range of stakeholders; and
  • Make decisions which are informed by the best available science and expertise within the industry.

Labor will improve air quality monitoring in the vicinity of coal fired power stations

Labor will improve air quality monitoring in the vicinity of coal fired power stations with new ambient air quality monitoring stations.

While there currently exists an air quality monitoring network in NSW, locations of air quality monitoring stations are not always within close vicinity of the state’s five coal fired power stations. For example, the nearest air quality monitoring station for Lithgow’s Mount Piper power station is 62 kilometres away in Bathurst.

Labor will review the locations of air quality monitoring stations near coal-fired power stations for their effectiveness in understanding and managing the potential health impacts of emissions on the community. Labor will establish new monitoring stations in the vicinity of coal fired power stations where no adequate monitoring currently exists, in consultation with affected communities.

Labor will finalise a 10-year strategy to improve air quality

In 2016, the Liberals and Nationals issued a consultation paper for a strategy to improve NSW air quality. While a period of consultation followed, no final strategy was ever produced.

Labor will finalise a 10-year strategy to improve air quality. Labor will integrate this strategy with its initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and increase the supply of clean, renewable energy.

 

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Labor will oppose the Nationals’ push for nuclear power in NSW

The Nationals’ plan for nuclear power in NSW

The Leader of the Nationals, Deputy Premier John Barilaro, has called for the introduction of nuclear power in NSW:

Nuclear power on the agenda in NSW as Deputy Premier claims ‘we’ve been led by fear and mistruths’

New South Wales Deputy Premier John Barilaro has put nuclear energy on the agenda, arguing it would help secure the state’s power supply in the future. Mr Barilaro, the leader of the NSW Nationals, will address his party’s annual conference in Broken Hill today, where he will make the case for a nuclear debate.
– ABC News, 19 May 2017

Mr Barilaro has described the introduction of nuclear power in NSW as “inevitable”:

John Barilaro to push the nuclear power button

Acting NSW Premier John Barilaro will declare nuclear power “inevitable” in a speech that slams “ignorant, 1970s” thinking for preventing development of the nation’s uranium reserves and condemning residents to blackouts.

The speech by the state Nationals party leader, seen by The Australian and to be delivered on Wednesday night at an energy policy forum in Sydney, calls for small modular reactors, likely imported from the US, to reduce dependence on high-emission coal and gas-fired power over the next five to 10 years.
– The Australian, 17 April 2018

Labor opposes nuclear power in NSW

Labor opposes the Nationals’ plan to introduce nuclear power in NSW.

Labor will:

  • Maintain a ban on uranium exploration, extraction and export in NSW; and
  • Oppose any plans to develop a nuclear power industry in NSW.

Labor calls on the NSW Nationals to tell the people of NSW:

  • Where in NSW they intend to build nuclear power plants; and
  • How the Nationals would deal with nuclear waste and other hazards associated with nuclear power.

Labor will oppose the Nationals’ push for nuclear power in NSW.


For more information on Labor’s environmental policies, such as our plans to protect and support National Parks; improve the health of our waterways; and to protect and enhance urban environments, click here.