New greenhouse gas sector targets, enforceable limits, reporting and approval assessment requirements for licensees in NSW
The NSW EPA Climate Change Policy outlines the causes and consequences of climate change in NSW and the commitment to deliver on the objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making NSW more resilient and adapted to a changing climate. The policy is supported by the Climate Action Plan 2023 - 2026 which describes how the objectives will be achieved, outlines specific actions over the next three years and provides an indication of likely regulatory action over the medium and long-term.
The actions are presented in three pillars: (1) inform & plan; (2) mitigate and (3) adapt, with a focus on improving the evidence base to inform the response. Of relevance to industry seeking to plan for and align with these changes are the following requirements:
EPA will issue a mandatory survey of licensees to understand what actions are already being undertaken to manage GHG emissions and climate risks, and where additional support is required, likely during June 2023
GHG targets (scope 1 and 2) and emission reduction trajectories will be set for key emitting industries identified by EPA
GHG emissions limits will be included in licences and therefore will become enforceable, potentially in the form of emissions intensities or load limits, likely with monitoring requirements or emission estimations conditions
Facilities will be required to develop Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plans (CCMAP) and update Pollution Incident Response Management Plans (PIRMPs) to consider exposure to climate risks
Climate change will need to be adequately considered in planning approvals, with new guidance documents to be developed by EPA and Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) on how to assess climate risk and emissions from a proposal
This policy represents the first time climate change actions will be regulated in NSW. The policy and action plan aim to address progress towards Net Zero in NSW, define what best practice looks like and provides a lever for key industries to be progressive and innovate to reduce GHG emissions across key emission sources.
Read the EPA Climate Change Policy and Climate Action Plan 2023 - 2026 here: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/climate-change/policy-and-action-plan
