Climate change: regulation in action case study
We have a critical role in protecting the environment from the threat of climate change, and in supporting the regulated community to meet the NSW Government’s Net Zero commitments.
The problem
The build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere since the beginning of the industrial age is causing our climate to change, with potentially serious consequences. In NSW, the mean temperature is about 1.4°C higher than in 1910. Other observed changes include increased seasonal variability in rainfall and increases in some extreme weather events such as heatwaves.
What we are doing
The EPA is the primary environmental regulator for NSW. As such, we are an active government partner on climate change policy, regulation and innovation. We have always regulated some of the causes and consequences of climate change including air emissions such as methane.
We released a Climate Change Policy and Climate Change Action Plan 2023–26. The policy lays out what we want to achieve and outlines our commitment to deliver on our statutory objectives and duty to address climate change. The action plan says how we will deliver on the objectives of our policy and signals our intention to take stronger regulatory action over the medium to long term if required.
Our goal
Our goal is to make NSW more resilient and adapted to a changing climate.
We aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the NSW Government’s net zero targets, which are:
- a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, compared to 2005 levels
- a 70% reduction in emissions by 2035, compared to 2005 levels
- net zero emissions by 2050.
How we are doing it
Our Climate Change Action Plan 2023–26 sets out the specific actions we are taking to deliver on those objectives and how they link to the elements of the EPA’s Regulatory Framework.
Listen - We have surveyed over 2,000 environment protection licensees so we can better understand their emissions, risks, climate change actions and where support or regulatory interventions may be needed. We have also established Climate Change Advisory Groups for the mining and agriculture sectors to ensure the EPA has a channel for hearing from industry and other stakeholders. We are in the process of establishing a Climate Change Community and Environment Advisory Group.
Enable - We consider emerging issues, trends, risks and opportunities surrounding climate change and the transition to a decarbonised economy. We publish this information via horizon scans, NSW State of the Environment reports, EPA annual reports, and our progress updates to enable the community and industry to take informed actions to address climate change.
Require - We have released our draft climate change assessment requirements and guidance to support proponents to adequately consider climate change through the environmental impact assessment process. We have also released a fact sheet to inform proponents for the activities we regulate to explain how we expect them to address climate change through planning and licence application processes.
Monitor - We will monitor and report on the impacts of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and the implementation and effectiveness of the NSW’s net zero commitments in NSW State of the Environment reports.
Act - We are working with experts to explore how the EPA and licensees can best measure and monitor greenhouse gas emissions and how emissions can be independently and transparently verified (especially fugitive methane emissions).
What we are learning
We have taken the time to listen through a detailed survey of our licence holders.
The completed survey provided us with a better understanding of emissions, risks, climate change actions, and where licensees would like support to reduce their emissions or adapt to climate change impacts.
We are using the survey results to ensure the regulatory action we take is meaningful, feasible and cost-effective for industry.
Our role as environmental stewards
Our commitment to caring and protecting tomorrow together means that we have to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and support our regulated community to prepare for the impacts of climate change now.
At the centre of our approach is engagement and partnership with Aboriginal peoples, industry leaders, environmental advocates, scientists, government and communities.
Through collaboration we can build a sustainable future for NSW by working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.