<p>The Net Zero Commission’s 2026 Annual Progress Report finds that while New South Wales has made meaningful progress in reducing emissions and expanding low-emissions technologies, the current pace of decarbonisation is insufficient to meet the state’s legislated targets of a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and 70% by 2035. The projected emissions gap has widened, with NSW needing to reduce emissions around 2.5 times faster than its historical average to meet the 2030 target. The Commission identifies faster deployment of renewable energy, storage and transmission; greater uptake of electric alternatives in transport, buildings and industry; significant reductions in methane emissions; stronger climate policy across all sectors; and greater investment in climate adaptation as priorities. It also emphasises that decisions such as coal-mine expansions and new large industrial loads need to be consistent with NSW’s climate targets, while communities, local governments and First Nations peoples should be better supported to lead local climate action. Overall, the report concludes that NSW has a foundation for achieving net zero, but substantially stronger and faster government action is now required to close the emissions gap and prepare communities for increasing climate risks.</p>

2026 Annual Progress Report - New South Wales

<p>This report has been uploaded by the International Climate Councils Network, and was originally published by one of the Network’s members, who are all official climate advisory bodies to government. Please refer to the <a href="https://www.climatecouncils.org/tcs/" target="_blank">ICCN’s term of reference</a> and the original publication source before citing the report or using in any other way</p>

Annual report

Australia

New South Wales

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Justice is the ethical and political framework that addresses fairness, including issues of responsibility, rights, and structural inequity.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives