A net zero bill has been introduced to NSW Parliament, and if passed, will turn an emissions reduction target into law for the first time. 

The Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill 2023 commits to NSW cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.

If supported in the parliament, it will require the government to take significantly more action towards reducing climate change, with a commitment to keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees. 

Under the legislation, the law will establish a Net Zero Commission as an independent expert body to monitor the state’s progress towards net zero. 

Farmers for Climate Action welcomed the legislation proposal, but were clear about what that should look like in agriculture. 

“We are hopeful that the NSW Government will also commit to real emission reductions as part of this Bill - the path to net zero cannot be built on carbon offsets,” Farmers for Climate Action CEO Natalie Collard said.

According to the Climate Council, carbon offsets should be used as a last resort, favouring actual emission reductions as a way of reaching climate targets.

“A swift step forward would be to reduce the current payback period for batteries from ten years to five. This would enable farm households and work sheds to use the renewable energy stored and to future-proof the grid as the energy mix changes," Ms Collard said.

“This shift to cleaner, cheaper energy can be done and farmers are keen to do their bit. Increasing the renewable power in our grid and on our farms, will help our farmers with the costs of growing our food.” 

Meanwhile, Greens spokesperson for Climate Change Sue Higginson also welcomed the legislation but deemed it ‘unambitious’.

“Global and domestic organisations of accredited scientists have made it clear that NSW and Australia must be more ambitious with our emissions targets and have called for us to be net zero by 2035 or 2040 by the latest,” Ms Higginson said. 

“The Government’s target of 50% by 2030 is inconsistent with international expectations and will lock in global temperature rises beyond 2 degrees celsius,” she said.

Previous government commitments to net zero emissions by 2050 have manifested as targets, program plans and policy framework, making this Bill the only target that is accountable to law.