NSW Labor Leader, Michael Daley, has announced Labor's climate change plan, which includes introducing a renewable energy target for NSW.
A Daley Labor Government, if elected in March, will introduce NSW's first renewable energy target.
It will require NSW to generate:
- At least 50 per cent of our state's energy from renewable sources by 2030; and
- Move to as close to as possible 100 per cent energy from renewable sources by 2050.
Currently, NSW only obtains less than 13 per cent of its energy from renewable sources.
"The Liberals and Nationals have failed, for eight years, to develop a plan to fight climate change.
"A Daley Labor Government will put climate change at the centre of its decision making. One of my first acts as Labor Leader was creating a climate change portfolio because it is time governments acted decisively to deal with this pressing issue," Mr Daley said.
As part of its plan Labor will also:
- Deliver 100 per cent renewable energy for all State Government agencies by 2025 (it is currently only six per cent);
- Hold a Climate Change Summit in its first year in office, to develop the Climate Change Action Plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050; and
- Enshrine the outcomes of the Summit into a Climate Change Act.
Labor Leader in the Legislative Council and Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Adam Searle, said: "Around half of the electricity NSW currently relies on will retire over the next 16 years, as ageing coal fired power stations reach the end of their life.
"This means future electricity supplies for NSW will be at risk unless new power sources are built. To make electricity cheaper and cut emissions the future of our energy system must be renewable."
Deputy Labor Leader and Shadow Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe, said: "Climate change is real and the impacts of it can be seen right across the state. Only Labor is serious about tackling climate change and developing a clean energy future."
