REGIONAL NSW communities will be the biggest beneficiaries from the Berejiklian Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap which will drive down power prices and pollution, create much-needed jobs and deliver huge economic benefits to the state.
“I would like to congratulate the NSW Government for its leadership and its vision. This will help regional communities recover from our economic crisis by creating thousands of jobs, and attracting new industry and investment. At the same time, it also addresses the climate crisis,” said the Climate Council’s CEO Amanda McKenzie.
“We are witnessing an unstoppable wave of action when it comes to clean job creation and climate pledges. Australia now has three Liberal state governments – NSW, Tasmania and South Australia – with some of the strongest renewable energy targets in the country,” she said.
“Renewable energy backed by storage is now the cheapest form of new generation. The direction being set by the Berejiklian Government means everyone in NSW is guaranteed clean, reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost,” said Climate Councillor and former President of BP Australasia, Greg Bourne.
“International momentum for climate action will continue to accelerate following the election of Joe Biden as the next US President. It is terrific to see NSW moving in sync with our strategic partners like the European Union, South Korea, Japan and, now, the United States,” he said.
“Exactly a year ago, NSW was on fire, scorched by horrific bushfires. The Royal Commission and NSW Bushfire inquiry found the fires were driven by climate change. I am very pleased that the NSW Government is taking meaningful steps to reduce our emissions and keep Australians safe,” said Climate Councillor and former NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner, Greg Mullins.
“We have seen amazing leadership from the premiers in tackling COVID-19 and we are seeing that same leadership when it comes to climate change. All states and territories have a target for net zero emissions. It really is time for the Federal Government to get on board,” he said.
The Climate Council’s Clean Jobs Plan found that NSW can create 20,000-25,000 clean jobs now that will get Australians back to work while also tackling climate change.
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Header image credit: Genex