NSW government continues fight on climate change

Retailers will have to offer an optional 10% Green Power component on new residential customer accounts under an ambitious greenhouse action plan that was unveiled by the NSW Premier, the Hon Morris Iemma, recently.

The four-year Greenhouse Plan will reduce emissions and research the effects of climate change. It is part of a multi-million dollar environmental program, the biggest in NSW history, and sets emission reduction targets.

The $24 million Plan includes:

• $10 million for climate action grants promoting emission reduction, technologies in the waste, industrial processes, transport, forestry and land use sectors;
• $7.5 million for a new climate change awareness program;
• $2 million for climate change impact research;
• $2 million for a climate change adaptation program;
• $2.3 million for new greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects.

The Plan extends the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme to 2020, including an option to extend the scheme on a 15 year rolling basis if agreement on a national emissions trading scheme is delayed.

The Premier has written to the Prime Minister requesting him to convene a three-day National Summit on Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading in the first half of this year.