Emissions reduction

A concerted effort is required to slow and reverse the projected growth in greenhouse gas emissions. The NSW Government is pursuing a strategic and comprehensive approach to emissions reduction and to achieve its medium and long term emission reduction targets.

Greenhouse gas emissions are produced by a wide range of sources and can be reduced by either modifying our behaviour or by employing technological solutions.

To make significant cuts in emissions cost effectively, we need to use energy more smartly and ensure the development and uptake of innovative technology. At the same time, significant reductions in emissions can be achieved at minimal cost, by improving energy efficiency.

NSW is using a mix of approaches, including market-based measures, information and awareness-raising, and regulation, to reduce emissions.

Many emerging technologies are under development and showing significant promise for delivering large scale emission reductions. We can anticipate significant technological innovation over a 40 year horizon, arising from a carbon price signal - the Australian emissions trading scheme - and the NSW emissions reduction targets.

Priority sectors for action in NSW include electricity generation and transport, the largest and fastest growing sources of emissions in NSW.

The Government is also leading by example - using its significant purchasing power to drive the uptake of new technologies and setting targets to improve the efficiency of Government use of water, energy and transport.