The NSW Government will introduce a new Net Zero Plan aimed at helping the state meet its climate targets, as fresh data shows the need to address not just emissions, but also growing waste and biodiversity decline.
The plan will guide emissions reductions through to 2050, taking a sector-by-sector approach across government. It will be developed with input from all relevant Ministers and will focus on areas where emissions are projected to increase or remain high.
Current estimates suggest the state is on track to cut emissions by 46% by 2030, just short of the 50% legislated target. By 2035, reductions are expected to reach 62% against a 70% goal. The new plan aims to bridge these gaps while managing broader environmental impacts.
New findings from the State of the Environment 2024 report show waste generation in NSW is growing faster than the population, and Greater Sydney could run out of landfill space by 2030. In 2022–23, each person in NSW generated an average of 2.7 tonnes of waste—up from 2.4 tonnes in 2015–16.
NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) CEO Tony Chappel said that while there have been positive developments, urgent challenges remain.
“NSW is making significant strides in reducing litter and expanding renewable energy – now powering a third of the state – driven by government policies, investment, innovation and community action,” Mr Chappel said.
“While these achievements should be recognised, there is still more to do, particularly to address waste management, biodiversity loss and climate change.”
The report shows a 51% fall in litter since 2021–22, and renewable energy now supplies 34% of the state’s electricity—up from 19% in 2020. However, biodiversity continues to decline, with the number of threatened species rising to 1,018. Since industrialisation, NSW habitats have lost 71% of their ability to support native species.
Transport is also set to become the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in NSW by 2030. While the shift to electric vehicles is underway, the impact may be held back by ongoing sales of SUVs and light commercial vehicles.
Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said the government is determined to stay on course.
“Our first priority is to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030. We are very close – only 4% off with five years to go. But we aren’t naive – meeting our targets will be hard.”
“We are not shying away from the challenge, and we are determined to meet the targets; that’s why we enshrined the targets in law, that’s why we’re transitioning to renewables, that’s why we’re creating the Net Zero Plan,” Sharpe said.
The new plan will integrate advice from the Net Zero Commission’s 2024 Annual Report and adopt all recommendations from the Joint Standing Committee on Net Zero Future.
The 2024 State of the Environment report, prepared by the EPA every three years, draws from data provided by 11 government agencies and includes peer-reviewed research. For the first time, it incorporates Aboriginal perspectives on environmental care, developed in partnership with the Aboriginal Peoples Knowledge Group.
The government says the updated Net Zero Plan will be shaped by this evidence base and will aim to reduce emissions while also responding to rising waste, habitat loss, and climate risks such as extreme heat and rainfall.
