Submission to the inquiry into emissions from the fossil fuel sector

Key takeaways:

• Reducing emissions from coal mining has a critically important role in NSW achieving its emissions reduction targets, and in ensuring regional communities successfully manage the transition to a net zero economy.
• While the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) projects fugitive emissions to decline strongly after 2027, this is not assured without strong uptake of mitigation technology.
• It is evident from DCCEEW’s emissions projections that NSW is not on track to meet its 2030 and 2035 emissions reduction targets. Reducing emissions in the resources sector is critical to getting the state back on track.
• The commission is continuing its work on coal fugitive emissions as a key priority and intends to release a report in the coming months.