NEW REPORT | Ageing and Unprepared: Energy in New South Wales

26.02.19 By , , and
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New South Wales was once a world leader on climate action, but a new Climate Council report shows it is now far behind, spewing more greenhouse gas pollution into the atmosphere than any other state or territory. The Climate Council report – Ageing and Unprepared: Energy in New South Wales – examines the state’s ongoing dependence on coal and gas power stations and its tardy transition to renewable energy.

New South Wales is home to Australia’s oldest fleet of coal power stations and has limited state government policies to encourage more wind and solar projects in the state beyond 2020. There is a serious risk that New South Wales will be caught short as coal power stations close or unexpectedly fail in extreme weather events.

The New South Wales public is very supportive of renewable energy, with 83% wanting the state to generate more of its electricity with renewable energy. Local government is also backing renewable energy, with more than twenty local councils supporting new solar farms in the state to help reduce their power bills.


Download the full report here


Report key findings:

New South Wales was once a world leader on climate action, but over the past five years it has become a laggard.

New South Wales is responsible for more greenhouse gas pollution than any other state or territory and continues to rely on heavily polluting coal and unreliable gas power stations.

Current climate policies in New South Wales are inadequate, although local councils are stepping up in the face of state government inaction.

New South Wales is highly exposed to the impacts of climate change.


Download the full report here


Infographic showing NSW coal power stations, their age,a nd when they are due to retire.