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NSW EPA Climate Change Policy and Action Plan (2022)

Policy Overview

The NSW EPA Climate Policy and Action Plan aims to build upon existing strategies and policies to help achieve the state's emissions goals and lays out a more proactive approach by the EPA to control greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Action Plan proposes multiple new actions to inform, mitigate and adapt to climate change, these include but not limited to:

  • Environment and protection licensees must develop and implement plans to minimize GHG emissions.
  • Environment and protection licensees must develop a series of GHG emissions reduction targets and pathways.
  • Place GHG emissions limits and other requirements on licensees in key sectors.

The NSW EPA notes that it will consider the performance, reporting, and other requirements established by the Commonwealth Government, such as the Safeguard Mechanism, which is itself under review in 2022-23. Any emission limits or other licensing conditions imposed by the NSW EPA will supplement the actions already being taken by the NSW Government and the Commonwealth Government.

Evidence Profile

06011

Key

◼ opposing ◼ not supporting ◼ mixed/unclear
◼ supporting ◼ strongly supporting

Policy Engagement Overview

In September 2022, the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) released its draft Climate Change Policy (Draft Policy) and Action Plan (Draft Action Plan) for public consultation. InfluenceMap has detected that the overall engagement with the policy appears to be largely not supportive or oppositional. Entities holding these positions appeared to be industry associations representing the oil and gas and resource sector companies.

Policy Engagement Trends

A number of companies and associations appeared unsupportive of NSW EPA’s Climate Policy and Action Plan on the basis that it risks duplicating existing regulation while stating preference for climate regulation to come at a federal level, including the NSW Minerals Council, Australian Pipelines and Gas Association, the Energy Council, AGL and Glencore. This is despite the NSW EPA acknowledging that it will consider existing state and federal policy when designing its own climate action plan.

There appeared to also be particular opposition to the proposal to allow the EPA to set GHG emissions targets and limits on facilities in the state. AGL appeared to stress the risk that a strict GHG mandate may cause thermal generators to close and could lead to higher electricity prices. Orica supported the proposal to implement GHG emission targets with major exceptions, stating that the limit should not exceed Safeguard Mechanism requirements and stressed the potential impact on emissions intensive trade exposed facilities (EITE's), stating such targets will affect competitiveness. Glencore appeared to oppose the proposal while advocating for the exclusion of Safeguard Mechanism facilities from any additional emissions limits at the state level.

Evidence Profile

06011

Key

◼ opposing ◼ not supporting ◼ mixed/unclear
◼ supporting ◼ strongly supporting
Influencemap Performance BandOrganizationEngagement Intensity
DAustralian Pipelines and Gas Association18EnergyOceania
CAustralian Energy Council43EnergyOceania
C+AGL Australia39UtilitiesOceania
C-Gas Energy Australia19EnergyOceania
D-Glencore International31Metals & MiningEurope
ENSW Minerals Council32Metals & MiningOceania
C-Qantas Airways13TransportationOceania
E+Yancoal14Metals & MiningOceania