Greenpeace recognises the measures outlined by NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030 as a step in the right direction, although far steeper cuts are needed in the wake of the recent bushfire crisis.The NSW 2030 plan, unveiled this morning, will create 2400 jobs and reduce power bills as clean energy sources like wind and solar replace our ageing and unreliable coal-burning power stations, create fast-charging stations for electric vehicles and help reduce pollution in cement and manufacturing, as well as doubling the government’s own solar target and tripling the electric/hybrid target for government-owned vehicles. [1]

“Taking steps to reduce emissions is good news for the economy and health, although New South Wales needs to double its ambition to play its part in limiting global warming to close to 1.5 degrees,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific spokesperson Jonathan Moylan.

“Taking stronger action like accelerating the shift to clean and affordable renewable energy to address the causes of climate change will lead to more jobs, cleaner air and less preventable disease. It’s good to see state governments stepping in to fill the climate void left by the Morrison government.

“We now need a race to the top on reducing emissions from burning coal, oil and gas that fuel extreme weather events like this summer’s bushfires.”

 

Notes

[1] https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nsw-to-lead-the-country-in-reaching-net-zero-emissions-by-2050-20200313-p549ud.html 

 

Contact

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Communications Campaigner, Martin Zavan 

0424 295 422

[email protected]