We are taking decisive and responsible action on climate change
The Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023
The Act commits the NSW government to effective action on climate change to ensure a sustainable and fair future for the people, economy and environment of NSW. It legislates:
- guiding principles for action to address climate change that consider the impacts, opportunities and need for action in NSW
- emissions reduction targets for NSW:
- 50% reduction on 2005 levels by 2030
- 70% reduction on 2005 levels by 2035
- Net zero by 2050.
- an objective for NSW to be more resilient to a changing climate
- establishing an independent, expert Net Zero Commission to monitor, review, report on and advise on progress towards these targets.
The Act can be read in full on the NSW legislation website.
NSW Climate Change Adaptation Strategy
The NSW Climate Change Adaptation Strategy is the NSW Government’s guiding policy on adaptation. It sets the state on a path to achieve the resilience objective in the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023.
The strategy sets out an ambitious approach to climate change adaptation. It provides a framework that will strengthen and expand action to adapt to climate change now and over the long term. It will help protect the future prosperity of the people, economy and environment of NSW from climate change. It will also maximise opportunities to create jobs and grow the economy through adaptation. The strategy sets out key decision-making principles and objectives for adaptation, key priorities and a suite of actions.
A key part of the strategy is to provide up-to-date regional climate change projections to inform adaptation planning (part of Priority 1: Develop robust and trusted metrics and information on climate change risk). The NSW Government provides these publicly accessible local-level climate change projections through the NSW and Australian Regional Climate Modelling (NARCliM) project.
Read the NSW Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
NSW Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2025-2029
Delivering state-level adaptation action plans is a key priority of the strategy. In October 2024, the NSW Government released the NSW Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2025-2029 the first adaptation action plan for NSW. The plan identifies 46 actions led by 8 key agencies to progress adaptation over the next 5 years. Adaptation is an ongoing process, this plan will be reviewed and updated to ensure it continues to be effective. This plan is intended to be the first of many under the strategy.
NSW Climate Change Policy Framework
Under the NSW Climate Change Policy Framework 2016 the NSW Government has set objectives to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and make NSW more resilient to a changing climate.
Action to reduce emissions
NSW was one of the first Australian jurisdictions to commit to net zero emissions by 2050.
The Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030 is the foundation for NSW’s action on climate change and goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
The Plan outlines the NSW Government’s plan to grow the economy, create jobs and reduce the cost of living through strategic emissions reduction initiatives across the economy.
Major emissions reductions initiatives under the Plan include the:
- NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which will deliver a modern energy system for the State and unlock investment in renewable energy
- NSW Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program, which will help reduce emissions from NSW’s industrial sector and invest in new clean technologies for the future
- NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy, which will accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles
- NSW Hydrogen Strategy, which will support the growth of a hydrogen industry
- NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy, which will reduce emissions through better waste and materials management
- NSW Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program, which will drive sustainable land management, boost productivity and help reduce emissions.