The NSW Government has accepted the findings of the Net Zero Commission’s Annual Report and the Standing Committee. It recognises the urgency for action to address climate change and that more action is needed for NSW to meet its net zero targets.
The Net Zero Commission Annual Report
The Net Zero Commission provides expert advice to the NSW Government to ensure our state is on a clear path to net zero. The Commission produced its first annual report in November 2024, only a few months after being established. The Commission’s main finding was that NSW needs to move faster to meet its targets, aligning with our own projections.
The Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee
The Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Net Zero Future monitors and reviews the Commission’s findings under the Act. The Committee inquired into the Commission’s Annual Report at the request of the Minister for Climate Change. It produced its report in March 2025, which included 4 recommendations. The government supports all 4 of these recommendations.
Our response to the Annual Report
The NSW Government acknowledges the findings of the Net Zero Commission Annual Report. We will develop a new net zero plan with specific actions to ensure we meet our net zero emissions reduction targets.
NSW has emissions reduction targets in the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023 to:
- reduce emissions by 50% on 2005 levels by 2030
- reduce emissions by 70% on 2005 levels by 2035
- reach net zero by 2050.
Find out more about our net zero targets.
Key points of our net zero response
- We’re committed to a net zero emissions future and our targets are enshrined in law.
- We’ll develop a new ambitious Net Zero Plan for the next decade. This will set a clear path to ensure we meet our targets.
- We’ll continue to empower the Environment Protection Authority (the EPA) to regulate emissions and enact its Climate Change Plan.
- Climate change is a whole-of-government priority. We’ve created a Climate Change Network, to share data and insights, and align climate change policies across all NSW Government portfolios.
- We’re embedding climate change into government decision making.
- We’ll continue to work to reduce our own emissions and help industry build their capability to decarbonise.
- All sectors must contribute if we’re to reach our legislated targets.
- Our projections show that the energy sector is responsible for most of NSW emissions reduction due to the energy transition. We must increase our efforts in the other sectors to continue to decrease emissions.
- The new Net Zero Plan will continue to focus on the Energy and Waste sectors, but will increase the focus on Transport and the Built Environment sectors.
Key points of our climate change adaptation response
- The NSW Government will develop adaptation regulations under the Act.
- We’re releasing NSW first climate change risk and opportunity assessment this year. Government agencies are disclosing climate-related risks and opportunities to increase transparency and accountability.
- We are making climate change part of disaster risk reduction.
- We’re improving climate change projections with NARCliM2.0. New support and resources will help decision makers use this information effectively.
NSW Government Joint standing Committee
The Joint Standing Committee monitors and reviews the Net Zero Commission’s functions and held an inquiry into the report. Read more about the parliamentary inquiry.
The Committee considered a number of public submissions and produced its report in March 2025.
The NSW Government supports all 4 recommendations:
- We’ll ensure the Net Zero Commission is well resourced and supported.
- We’ll ask the Net Zero Commission for advice as we develop the new Net Zero Plan. This will include advice on the resources sector.
- The Net Zero Plan will consider all tools available to Government, including new regulations.
- The Consumer Energy Strategy will include voluntary disclosure of home energy ratings to help inform home owners and renters on energy efficient properties.