Net Zero Commission

Letter to Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure 6 May 2026

Following the publication of the NSW Government’s updated position on coal mining in ‘NSW Coal Industry 2026–50’, the Net Zero Commission wrote to the Secretary of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) with recommendations to support consent authorities’ assessment of the emissions impacts of projects with significant emissions, including coal mines.
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Type: Letter
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Name: Letter-to-DPHI-Considering-emissions-in-planning-assessments-May-2026.pdf

The NSW planning system considers a range of project proposals, including coal mine extensions and expansions, which may have significant greenhouse gas emissions. DPHI is responsible for implementing NSW Government planning policy.

As part of our functions to monitor, review and advise on adapting to climate change and achieving emissions reduction targets, this letter encourages DPHI to improve consent authorities’ consideration of greenhouse gas emissions in planning decisions to ensure the planning system supports the statutory requirements of the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023 (Climate Change Act).

We also draw DPHI’s attention to the Commission’s recent Heat Stress Spotlight Report and that strengthening how the planning system addresses heat stress would ensure neighbourhoods are designed and built to reduce related risks.

Key takeaways: 

  • The Commission highlights that the recent and ongoing approval of additional coal mining extension and expansion projects makes the achievement of NSW’s legislated emissions reduction targets harder. 
  • Following the NSW Government’s publication of its updated position on coal mining, the Commission asks for an outline of DPHI’s approach to considering the Climate Change Act and related Commission advice in assessing and providing advice on projects with significant emissions.
  • The Commission offers to support DPHI to develop policy guidance for consent authorities to make assessing emissions impacts easier and more effective.
  • In addition to advice on coal mining emissions, the Commission highlights Finding 5 in our Heat Stress Spotlight Report which notes that strengthening how heat stress is addressed across all levels of the NSW planning system would ensure neighbourhoods are designed and built to reduce related risks. 

The letter is not intended as a report under the Act.

Background

  1. 26 Sep 2025

    The Net Zero Commission wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) with recommendations to consider during planning approvals and assessment reports. 

  2. 12 December 2025

    The Net Zero Commission published its Coal Mining Emissions Spotlight Report.

  3. 19 March 2026

    The NSW Government published its updated whole-of-government position on coal mining, ‘NSW Coal Industry 2026–50’.

  4. 6 May 2026

    The Net Zero Commission wrote to the Secretary of DPHI with further recommendations to improve the NSW planning system’s consideration of the Climate Change Act (this publication).