The Net Zero Commission today released the first in a series of spotlight reports into different ways NSW can achieve its legislated emissions reduction targets and adaptation objective.
The Net Zero Commission was established by the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023 as an independent statutory authority to monitor and advise on the State’s progress towards its legislated emission reduction targets,1 net zero goal, and adaptation objective.
The Coal Mining Emissions Spotlight Report delivers rigorous analysis into coal mining’s role in NSW’s economy and emissions profile. The Report identifies opportunities to reduce emissions and the need to support affected regional communities as the global economy shifts away from coal.
In the report, the Net Zero Commission finds:
- Reducing on-site emissions at NSW coal mines represents a significant opportunity to support the State’s emissions reduction targets
- Technology exists to achieve this
- Stronger regulation can help drive greater emissions reduction
- Continued extensions or expansions to current projects are not consistent with the objectives of the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023
Nick Rowley, Chair of the Net Zero Commission, said: "The Commission provides transparent, independent advice grounded in robust evidence. This report informs and sheds light on the opportunity for coal mining to play an active and tangible part in reducing NSW’s emissions.
“We do not make policy. Our purpose is to advise those who do and inform the wider debate on how we effectively reduce climate risk.
“Coal mining has made a significant contribution to our economy and regional communities for generations. Given global demand for thermal coal2 is likely to decline, we owe it to those communities to plan for a just transition.”
Background
Chair Nick Rowley and Executive Director Will Rayward-Smith of the Net Zero Commission will appear at the public hearing on Friday 12 December for the inquiry into emissions from the fossil fuel sector conducted by NSW Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Net Zero Future.
The Coal Mining Emissions Spotlight Report is publicly available on the Net Zero Commission website.
It is the first in a series of spotlight reports that will aim to help decision-makers understand what’s at stake, what the evidence reveals and the practical actions, policies and decisions that will have the most effect in achieving NSW emissions reduction targets and the adaptation objective.
- Emissions reduction targets of 50% by 2030, and 70% by 2035 compared with 2005 levels, as legislated by the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023.
- Thermal coal is mostly burned to generate electricity.