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NSW Election 2023 - Where do they stand on climate?

Where do the parties actually stand on critical climate policy topics?

Click on the coloured tabs below

This guide is an objective, non-partisan comparison of the stated climate policies of all parties with seats in the NSW Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council (downloaded 10 March 2023) in terms of emissions reduction targets and approach to fossil fuel mining, as well as a selection of independents with strong climate policies.

We encourage you to review the parties' / candidates' policies by clicking through the links. Some have considerably more detail about how their emissions reduction targets will be met.

Australian Parents for Climate Action advocates for an emissions reduction target (ERT) of 75% by 2030 (from 2005 levels) and net zero by 2035 (based on recommendations of the Climate Targets Panel and the Paris Agreement's equity principles, which require wealthy, high-emitting nations to make cuts above the global average). We support IPCC and IEA recommendations that no new fossil fuel extraction or infrastructure projects are compatible with keeping global heating to 1.5 degrees C.

 

nswvotes2023

NSW Liberal Party

Incumbents as part of Liberal National Coalition)

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

Net zero by 2050 including 50% by 2030 and 70% by 2035 (not legislated)

Electric vehicles to be 50% of new car sales by 2030

No renewable energy target, but significant investment through the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap to replace existing coal fired power stations with five Renewable Energy Zones. Also investment through NSW Hydrogen Strategy (green hydrogen)

No policy to end coal or gas mining

Climate related policies

NSW Nationals

Incumbents as part of Liberal National Coalition)

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

No emissions reduction target. Focus is adaptation to impacts.

NSW Nationals "believe" Petroleum Exploration Licenses should be extinguished as soon as they expire

Otherwise no policy to end coal or gas mining

Support investigating use of nuclear power

Climate related policies

NSW Labor Party

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

Legislate net zero by 2050

Legislate 50% reduction by 2030

Establish a Net Zero Commission to develop the plan to net zero by 2050, monitor and review the plan and trajectory.

No policy to end coal or gas mining

Climate related policies

NSW Shooters, Fishers & Farmers

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

No emissions reduction target and no climate policy

Its mining and energy policy rejects any controls on fossil mining and supports new coal and nuclear power generation

Climate related policies

NSW Animal Justice Party

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

30% methane emissions reduction by 2030

100% renewable energy target by 2030

50% reduction in carbon dioxide by 2030

Immediately ban the construction of new coal, oil and gas infrastructure

Phase out the mining, burning and export of thermal coal by 2030

Climate related policies

One Nation NSW

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

No climate policy or emissions reduction targets. Stated support for new coal and nuclear power

No policy to end coal or gas mining

Climate related policies

Victoria Davidson IND

Independent in Lane Cove

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

Net Zero by 2040 (all targets to be legislated)

60% reduction by 2030

80% reduction by 2035

No new coal or gas projects

Climate related policies

Helen Conway IND

Independent in North Shore

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

Net Zero by 2040 (all targets to be legislated)

60% reduction by 2030

80% reduction by 2035

No new fossil fuel projects

Climate related policies

Joeline Hackman IND

Independent in Manly

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

Legislate 65% emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2045 to signal to markets that businesses need to invest in the new energy economy. Target 85% emissions by 2035

No new coal and gas mines. No new exploration licenses or leases for fossil fuels

Climate related policies

Jacqui Scruby IND

Independent in Pittwater

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

Legislate 75% reduction by 2030

No new coal or gas projects in NSW

Climate related policies

Judith Hannan IND

Independent in Wollondilly

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

Net Zero by 2040

70% reduction by 2030

No new coal or gas projects

Climate related policies

Karen Freyer IND

Independent in Vaucluse

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

No new coal and gas projects

New buildings to be net zero

Support EV chargers installation in homes and apartment buildings

Zero emission buses

Climate related policies

Elizabeth Farrelly IND (Upper House)

Independent for the NSW Parliament Upper House

Key Emissions Reduction Policies

Legislate a net zero emissions commitment for NSW by 2030

No new coal and gas applications

Reintroduce State Environmental Planning Policy for environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient buildings

Climate related policies

Parents for Climate meet and work on the lands of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and respect that sovereignty of those lands was never ceded. We pay respect to Elders, past and present and emerging, and acknowledge the pivotal role that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the Australian community.