Pat Schultz

Rob Bakes on March 5, 2023

All Greens candidates for the NSW state election have been assessed by Vote Climate One as Green Light Candidates because of their strong policy and action on climate.

Pat Schultz high res.jpg
Profile

CLIMATE CHANGE

Principles

The Greens NSW believe that:

1.    Humans have radically altered Earth’s biophysical environment; this degradation poses the greatest threat to our planet’s climate system. A meaningful shift by communities, governments and corporations to a more harmonious and symbiotic relationship with Earth’s living systems is urgently required.

2.    Climate change threatens all aspects of life. It is already disrupting human societies through changing weather patterns, extreme weather events, desertification and sea level rise. It threatens food security, water, the economy, social cohesion and the well-being of humans and other living things. Impacts will escalate, putting increased pressure on natural resources and consequent impacts on our ability to satisfy basic human needs. These impacts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in our society.

3.    There is an urgent need to both reduce emissions to limit the severity of climate change and to proactively plan for a more hostile climate.

4.    The scientific evidence is unequivocal. Average world temperatures continue to rise at an unprecedented rate. This is mainly due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and methane), black carbon in the lower atmosphere and deforestation.

5.    The economic, social and environmental consequences of delaying action are so dangerous that an emergency plan with appropriate investment must be implemented to drastically reduce emissions by 2025 and reach zero or negative net emissions by 2035.

6.    NSW is a wealthy state, ideally placed to take a lead in addressing climate change. There is no excuse for NSW continuing to have high per capita emissions compared to other jurisdictions and being a large contributor to Australian emissions.

7.    NSW should recognise that climate change presents threats of serious and irreversible damage and should take appropriate action, in accordance with the precautionary principle, to mitigate and respond to such threats.

8.    Climate change is an environmental, economic, moral and ethical issue. Future human generations, and other species, must not be burdened with the dire consequences of this generation’s inaction in preventing climate change.

9.    Climate change necessitates a transition away from an economy reliant on unsustainable consumption.  We need to plan and enact a transition to a more sustainable and equitable society as a matter of urgency.

10.    NSW is ideally placed to address climate change and to contribute solutions in many areas, particularly given our ability to innovate and our research capabilities, and these efforts must be supported as a priority.

11.    Short lived climate pollutants (including methane, nitrous oxides, sulphur oxides, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon) have an enormous short-term impact on global warming. Drastically reducing emissions of these pollutants will have a rapid impact in the transition to a safe climate.

12.    To help ensure appropriate mitigation strategies for both CO2 and short-lived climate pollutants, emissions inventories should show climate impacts over 20 years (the critical period if we are to keep global warming well below 2 degrees) as well as 100 years. Consistent with the precautionary principle, all substances that cause warming (such as black carbon and carbon monoxide) should be considered, even those for which precise Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) are not yet available.

13.    Mining, export and domestic use of fossil fuels contribute to climate change and must be phased out as a matter of urgency. All fossil fuel subsidies should be abolished. 

14.    NSW has the capacity to ensure that our energy supply and land transport needs can be provided by renewable energy.

15.    Agriculture and the production of foods and fibre contribute to climate change. They must both adapt to the impacts of climate change and adopt more sustainable practices to reduce emissions.

16.    While the first priority is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, environmentally appropriate methods to draw down these gases can also contribute to achieving long term goals.

17.    Thousands of new jobs, particularly in rural and regional areas, can be created by prioritising investment in low carbon technologies. Similarly, thousands of jobs can be created in adapting urban and regional centres to meet the challenges of climate change.

18.    The costs and benefits of transitioning to net zero global warming must be fairly distributed across society, minimising the adverse impacts on communities that are at the leading edge of change and on those who are most disadvantaged.

19.    Logging and burning wood from forests is not climate neutral and often increases global warming.

Aims

The Greens NSW will work towards:

20.    NSW contributing its fair share of resources and actions to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C and as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in keeping with Australia’s ratification of the Paris Agreement.

21.    Incentives for individuals and industries (including agriculture) provided by Government to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, e.g. planting trees, kelp forests, investigating biomass storage and other methods to return to 350 ppm CO2.

22.    Building support in the community for urgent action to achieve a safe climate.

23.    Developing a strategy to effect an equitable transition to a sustainable net zero economy through a range of measures including market and regulatory, including a price on emissions with the proceeds used to compensate low income individuals.

24.    Supporting the transition strategy with a well-funded, comprehensive, integrated and research-based emissions reduction plan with appropriate targets and reporting for all sectors with significant greenhouse emissions.

25.    Achieving 100% clean renewable electrical energy in NSW by 2030, or earlier.

26.    Achieving sufficient renewable electricity capacity to power all heating and land transport, including passenger and freight rail, either by direct use of renewable electricity or, in future, by indirect use, e.g. via electrolysis to produce ‘green’ hydrogen and ammonia.

27.    Implementing emissions reductions and local adaptation strategies in conjunction with other governments, national, state and local, and in consultation with local communities.

28.    Implementing emissions reduction strategies as outlined in the relevant Greens NSW policies of Energy, Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Coal and Coal Seam Gas, Forestry (in development), Coastal Management and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Land Use and Waste (see links at the end of this document).

29.    Introducing a ban on donations to political parties or candidates from any person or corporation with a commercial interest in any aspect of the fossil fuel industry including mining, transport, electricity generation or distribution.

30.    Ensuring that impacts and opportunities are spread as fairly as possible across society with assistance to those at the leading edge of change and those who are most disadvantaged.

31.    Funding research into the local impacts of climate change and methods to minimise their impact.

32.    Proactive assistance to other nations, particularly in our region, to create safe climate economies, and adapt to climate change through appropriate technology transfer and other forms of assistance, including resettling and rehousing displaced populations where required.

Relevant policies

Almost all Greens policies relate to the management of the Climate Emergency, especially:

Air Quality, Agriculture and Rural Land Use, Biodiversity, Bushfire Risk Management, Coal and Gas, Coastal Management, Energy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Forests, Housing and Homelessness, Industry, Planning and Infrastructure, Regional Development, Transport, and Waste Elimination.

Revised October 2022

Views expressed in this post are those of its author(s), not necessarily all Vote Climate One members.

Tania Salitra

Rob Bakes on March 5, 2023

All Greens candidates for the NSW state election have been assessed by Vote Climate One as Green Light Candidates because of their strong policy and action on climate.

Profile

CLIMATE CHANGE

Principles

The Greens NSW believe that:

1.    Humans have radically altered Earth’s biophysical environment; this degradation poses the greatest threat to our planet’s climate system. A meaningful shift by communities, governments and corporations to a more harmonious and symbiotic relationship with Earth’s living systems is urgently required.

2.    Climate change threatens all aspects of life. It is already disrupting human societies through changing weather patterns, extreme weather events, desertification and sea level rise. It threatens food security, water, the economy, social cohesion and the well-being of humans and other living things. Impacts will escalate, putting increased pressure on natural resources and consequent impacts on our ability to satisfy basic human needs. These impacts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in our society.

3.    There is an urgent need to both reduce emissions to limit the severity of climate change and to proactively plan for a more hostile climate.

4.    The scientific evidence is unequivocal. Average world temperatures continue to rise at an unprecedented rate. This is mainly due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and methane), black carbon in the lower atmosphere and deforestation.

5.    The economic, social and environmental consequences of delaying action are so dangerous that an emergency plan with appropriate investment must be implemented to drastically reduce emissions by 2025 and reach zero or negative net emissions by 2035.

6.    NSW is a wealthy state, ideally placed to take a lead in addressing climate change. There is no excuse for NSW continuing to have high per capita emissions compared to other jurisdictions and being a large contributor to Australian emissions.

7.    NSW should recognise that climate change presents threats of serious and irreversible damage and should take appropriate action, in accordance with the precautionary principle, to mitigate and respond to such threats.

8.    Climate change is an environmental, economic, moral and ethical issue. Future human generations, and other species, must not be burdened with the dire consequences of this generation’s inaction in preventing climate change.

9.    Climate change necessitates a transition away from an economy reliant on unsustainable consumption.  We need to plan and enact a transition to a more sustainable and equitable society as a matter of urgency.

10.    NSW is ideally placed to address climate change and to contribute solutions in many areas, particularly given our ability to innovate and our research capabilities, and these efforts must be supported as a priority.

11.    Short lived climate pollutants (including methane, nitrous oxides, sulphur oxides, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon) have an enormous short-term impact on global warming. Drastically reducing emissions of these pollutants will have a rapid impact in the transition to a safe climate.

12.    To help ensure appropriate mitigation strategies for both CO2 and short-lived climate pollutants, emissions inventories should show climate impacts over 20 years (the critical period if we are to keep global warming well below 2 degrees) as well as 100 years. Consistent with the precautionary principle, all substances that cause warming (such as black carbon and carbon monoxide) should be considered, even those for which precise Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) are not yet available.

13.    Mining, export and domestic use of fossil fuels contribute to climate change and must be phased out as a matter of urgency. All fossil fuel subsidies should be abolished. 

14.    NSW has the capacity to ensure that our energy supply and land transport needs can be provided by renewable energy.

15.    Agriculture and the production of foods and fibre contribute to climate change. They must both adapt to the impacts of climate change and adopt more sustainable practices to reduce emissions.

16.    While the first priority is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, environmentally appropriate methods to draw down these gases can also contribute to achieving long term goals.

17.    Thousands of new jobs, particularly in rural and regional areas, can be created by prioritising investment in low carbon technologies. Similarly, thousands of jobs can be created in adapting urban and regional centres to meet the challenges of climate change.

18.    The costs and benefits of transitioning to net zero global warming must be fairly distributed across society, minimising the adverse impacts on communities that are at the leading edge of change and on those who are most disadvantaged.

19.    Logging and burning wood from forests is not climate neutral and often increases global warming.

Aims

The Greens NSW will work towards:

20.    NSW contributing its fair share of resources and actions to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C and as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in keeping with Australia’s ratification of the Paris Agreement.

21.    Incentives for individuals and industries (including agriculture) provided by Government to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, e.g. planting trees, kelp forests, investigating biomass storage and other methods to return to 350 ppm CO2.

22.    Building support in the community for urgent action to achieve a safe climate.

23.    Developing a strategy to effect an equitable transition to a sustainable net zero economy through a range of measures including market and regulatory, including a price on emissions with the proceeds used to compensate low income individuals.

24.    Supporting the transition strategy with a well-funded, comprehensive, integrated and research-based emissions reduction plan with appropriate targets and reporting for all sectors with significant greenhouse emissions.

25.    Achieving 100% clean renewable electrical energy in NSW by 2030, or earlier.

26.    Achieving sufficient renewable electricity capacity to power all heating and land transport, including passenger and freight rail, either by direct use of renewable electricity or, in future, by indirect use, e.g. via electrolysis to produce ‘green’ hydrogen and ammonia.

27.    Implementing emissions reductions and local adaptation strategies in conjunction with other governments, national, state and local, and in consultation with local communities.

28.    Implementing emissions reduction strategies as outlined in the relevant Greens NSW policies of Energy, Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Coal and Coal Seam Gas, Forestry (in development), Coastal Management and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Land Use and Waste (see links at the end of this document).

29.    Introducing a ban on donations to political parties or candidates from any person or corporation with a commercial interest in any aspect of the fossil fuel industry including mining, transport, electricity generation or distribution.

30.    Ensuring that impacts and opportunities are spread as fairly as possible across society with assistance to those at the leading edge of change and those who are most disadvantaged.

31.    Funding research into the local impacts of climate change and methods to minimise their impact.

32.    Proactive assistance to other nations, particularly in our region, to create safe climate economies, and adapt to climate change through appropriate technology transfer and other forms of assistance, including resettling and rehousing displaced populations where required.

Relevant policies

Almost all Greens policies relate to the management of the Climate Emergency, especially:

Air Quality, Agriculture and Rural Land Use, Biodiversity, Bushfire Risk Management, Coal and Gas, Coastal Management, Energy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Forests, Housing and Homelessness, Industry, Planning and Infrastructure, Regional Development, Transport, and Waste Elimination.

Views expressed in this post are those of its author(s), not necessarily all Vote Climate One members.

Sophie Edington

Rob Bakes on March 5, 2023

All Greens candidates for the NSW state election have been assessed by Vote Climate One as Green Light Candidates because of their strong policy and action on climate.

Profile

CLIMATE CHANGE

Principles

The Greens NSW believe that:

1.    Humans have radically altered Earth’s biophysical environment; this degradation poses the greatest threat to our planet’s climate system. A meaningful shift by communities, governments and corporations to a more harmonious and symbiotic relationship with Earth’s living systems is urgently required.

2.    Climate change threatens all aspects of life. It is already disrupting human societies through changing weather patterns, extreme weather events, desertification and sea level rise. It threatens food security, water, the economy, social cohesion and the well-being of humans and other living things. Impacts will escalate, putting increased pressure on natural resources and consequent impacts on our ability to satisfy basic human needs. These impacts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in our society.

3.    There is an urgent need to both reduce emissions to limit the severity of climate change and to proactively plan for a more hostile climate.

4.    The scientific evidence is unequivocal. Average world temperatures continue to rise at an unprecedented rate. This is mainly due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and methane), black carbon in the lower atmosphere and deforestation.

5.    The economic, social and environmental consequences of delaying action are so dangerous that an emergency plan with appropriate investment must be implemented to drastically reduce emissions by 2025 and reach zero or negative net emissions by 2035.

6.    NSW is a wealthy state, ideally placed to take a lead in addressing climate change. There is no excuse for NSW continuing to have high per capita emissions compared to other jurisdictions and being a large contributor to Australian emissions.

7.    NSW should recognise that climate change presents threats of serious and irreversible damage and should take appropriate action, in accordance with the precautionary principle, to mitigate and respond to such threats.

8.    Climate change is an environmental, economic, moral and ethical issue. Future human generations, and other species, must not be burdened with the dire consequences of this generation’s inaction in preventing climate change.

9.    Climate change necessitates a transition away from an economy reliant on unsustainable consumption.  We need to plan and enact a transition to a more sustainable and equitable society as a matter of urgency.

10.    NSW is ideally placed to address climate change and to contribute solutions in many areas, particularly given our ability to innovate and our research capabilities, and these efforts must be supported as a priority.

11.    Short lived climate pollutants (including methane, nitrous oxides, sulphur oxides, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon) have an enormous short-term impact on global warming. Drastically reducing emissions of these pollutants will have a rapid impact in the transition to a safe climate.

12.    To help ensure appropriate mitigation strategies for both CO2 and short-lived climate pollutants, emissions inventories should show climate impacts over 20 years (the critical period if we are to keep global warming well below 2 degrees) as well as 100 years. Consistent with the precautionary principle, all substances that cause warming (such as black carbon and carbon monoxide) should be considered, even those for which precise Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) are not yet available.

13.    Mining, export and domestic use of fossil fuels contribute to climate change and must be phased out as a matter of urgency. All fossil fuel subsidies should be abolished. 

14.    NSW has the capacity to ensure that our energy supply and land transport needs can be provided by renewable energy.

15.    Agriculture and the production of foods and fibre contribute to climate change. They must both adapt to the impacts of climate change and adopt more sustainable practices to reduce emissions.

16.    While the first priority is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, environmentally appropriate methods to draw down these gases can also contribute to achieving long term goals.

17.    Thousands of new jobs, particularly in rural and regional areas, can be created by prioritising investment in low carbon technologies. Similarly, thousands of jobs can be created in adapting urban and regional centres to meet the challenges of climate change.

18.    The costs and benefits of transitioning to net zero global warming must be fairly distributed across society, minimising the adverse impacts on communities that are at the leading edge of change and on those who are most disadvantaged.

19.    Logging and burning wood from forests is not climate neutral and often increases global warming.

Aims

The Greens NSW will work towards:

20.    NSW contributing its fair share of resources and actions to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C and as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in keeping with Australia’s ratification of the Paris Agreement.

21.    Incentives for individuals and industries (including agriculture) provided by Government to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, e.g. planting trees, kelp forests, investigating biomass storage and other methods to return to 350 ppm CO2.

22.    Building support in the community for urgent action to achieve a safe climate.

23.    Developing a strategy to effect an equitable transition to a sustainable net zero economy through a range of measures including market and regulatory, including a price on emissions with the proceeds used to compensate low income individuals.

24.    Supporting the transition strategy with a well-funded, comprehensive, integrated and research-based emissions reduction plan with appropriate targets and reporting for all sectors with significant greenhouse emissions.

25.    Achieving 100% clean renewable electrical energy in NSW by 2030, or earlier.

26.    Achieving sufficient renewable electricity capacity to power all heating and land transport, including passenger and freight rail, either by direct use of renewable electricity or, in future, by indirect use, e.g. via electrolysis to produce ‘green’ hydrogen and ammonia.

27.    Implementing emissions reductions and local adaptation strategies in conjunction with other governments, national, state and local, and in consultation with local communities.

28.    Implementing emissions reduction strategies as outlined in the relevant Greens NSW policies of Energy, Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Coal and Coal Seam Gas, Forestry (in development), Coastal Management and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Land Use and Waste (see links at the end of this document).

29.    Introducing a ban on donations to political parties or candidates from any person or corporation with a commercial interest in any aspect of the fossil fuel industry including mining, transport, electricity generation or distribution.

30.    Ensuring that impacts and opportunities are spread as fairly as possible across society with assistance to those at the leading edge of change and those who are most disadvantaged.

31.    Funding research into the local impacts of climate change and methods to minimise their impact.

32.    Proactive assistance to other nations, particularly in our region, to create safe climate economies, and adapt to climate change through appropriate technology transfer and other forms of assistance, including resettling and rehousing displaced populations where required.

Relevant policies

Almost all Greens policies relate to the management of the Climate Emergency, especially:

Air Quality, Agriculture and Rural Land Use, Biodiversity, Bushfire Risk Management, Coal and Gas, Coastal Management, Energy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Forests, Housing and Homelessness, Industry, Planning and Infrastructure, Regional Development, Transport, and Waste Elimination.

Views expressed in this post are those of its author(s), not necessarily all Vote Climate One members.

Courtney Buckley

Rob Bakes on March 5, 2023

All Greens candidates for the NSW state election have been assessed by Vote Climate One as Green Light Candidates because of their strong policy and action on climate.

Courtney for Strathfield 2.jpg
Profile

CLIMATE CHANGE

Principles

The Greens NSW believe that:

1.    Humans have radically altered Earth’s biophysical environment; this degradation poses the greatest threat to our planet’s climate system. A meaningful shift by communities, governments and corporations to a more harmonious and symbiotic relationship with Earth’s living systems is urgently required.

2.    Climate change threatens all aspects of life. It is already disrupting human societies through changing weather patterns, extreme weather events, desertification and sea level rise. It threatens food security, water, the economy, social cohesion and the well-being of humans and other living things. Impacts will escalate, putting increased pressure on natural resources and consequent impacts on our ability to satisfy basic human needs. These impacts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in our society.

3.    There is an urgent need to both reduce emissions to limit the severity of climate change and to proactively plan for a more hostile climate.

4.    The scientific evidence is unequivocal. Average world temperatures continue to rise at an unprecedented rate. This is mainly due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and methane), black carbon in the lower atmosphere and deforestation.

5.    The economic, social and environmental consequences of delaying action are so dangerous that an emergency plan with appropriate investment must be implemented to drastically reduce emissions by 2025 and reach zero or negative net emissions by 2035.

6.    NSW is a wealthy state, ideally placed to take a lead in addressing climate change. There is no excuse for NSW continuing to have high per capita emissions compared to other jurisdictions and being a large contributor to Australian emissions.

7.    NSW should recognise that climate change presents threats of serious and irreversible damage and should take appropriate action, in accordance with the precautionary principle, to mitigate and respond to such threats.

8.    Climate change is an environmental, economic, moral and ethical issue. Future human generations, and other species, must not be burdened with the dire consequences of this generation’s inaction in preventing climate change.

9.    Climate change necessitates a transition away from an economy reliant on unsustainable consumption.  We need to plan and enact a transition to a more sustainable and equitable society as a matter of urgency.

10.    NSW is ideally placed to address climate change and to contribute solutions in many areas, particularly given our ability to innovate and our research capabilities, and these efforts must be supported as a priority.

11.    Short lived climate pollutants (including methane, nitrous oxides, sulphur oxides, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon) have an enormous short-term impact on global warming. Drastically reducing emissions of these pollutants will have a rapid impact in the transition to a safe climate.

12.    To help ensure appropriate mitigation strategies for both CO2 and short-lived climate pollutants, emissions inventories should show climate impacts over 20 years (the critical period if we are to keep global warming well below 2 degrees) as well as 100 years. Consistent with the precautionary principle, all substances that cause warming (such as black carbon and carbon monoxide) should be considered, even those for which precise Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) are not yet available.

13.    Mining, export and domestic use of fossil fuels contribute to climate change and must be phased out as a matter of urgency. All fossil fuel subsidies should be abolished. 

14.    NSW has the capacity to ensure that our energy supply and land transport needs can be provided by renewable energy.

15.    Agriculture and the production of foods and fibre contribute to climate change. They must both adapt to the impacts of climate change and adopt more sustainable practices to reduce emissions.

16.    While the first priority is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, environmentally appropriate methods to draw down these gases can also contribute to achieving long term goals.

17.    Thousands of new jobs, particularly in rural and regional areas, can be created by prioritising investment in low carbon technologies. Similarly, thousands of jobs can be created in adapting urban and regional centres to meet the challenges of climate change.

18.    The costs and benefits of transitioning to net zero global warming must be fairly distributed across society, minimising the adverse impacts on communities that are at the leading edge of change and on those who are most disadvantaged.

19.    Logging and burning wood from forests is not climate neutral and often increases global warming.

Aims

The Greens NSW will work towards:

20.    NSW contributing its fair share of resources and actions to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C and as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in keeping with Australia’s ratification of the Paris Agreement.

21.    Incentives for individuals and industries (including agriculture) provided by Government to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, e.g. planting trees, kelp forests, investigating biomass storage and other methods to return to 350 ppm CO2.

22.    Building support in the community for urgent action to achieve a safe climate.

23.    Developing a strategy to effect an equitable transition to a sustainable net zero economy through a range of measures including market and regulatory, including a price on emissions with the proceeds used to compensate low income individuals.

24.    Supporting the transition strategy with a well-funded, comprehensive, integrated and research-based emissions reduction plan with appropriate targets and reporting for all sectors with significant greenhouse emissions.

25.    Achieving 100% clean renewable electrical energy in NSW by 2030, or earlier.

26.    Achieving sufficient renewable electricity capacity to power all heating and land transport, including passenger and freight rail, either by direct use of renewable electricity or, in future, by indirect use, e.g. via electrolysis to produce ‘green’ hydrogen and ammonia.

27.    Implementing emissions reductions and local adaptation strategies in conjunction with other governments, national, state and local, and in consultation with local communities.

28.    Implementing emissions reduction strategies as outlined in the relevant Greens NSW policies of Energy, Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Coal and Coal Seam Gas, Forestry (in development), Coastal Management and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Land Use and Waste (see links at the end of this document).

29.    Introducing a ban on donations to political parties or candidates from any person or corporation with a commercial interest in any aspect of the fossil fuel industry including mining, transport, electricity generation or distribution.

30.    Ensuring that impacts and opportunities are spread as fairly as possible across society with assistance to those at the leading edge of change and those who are most disadvantaged.

31.    Funding research into the local impacts of climate change and methods to minimise their impact.

32.    Proactive assistance to other nations, particularly in our region, to create safe climate economies, and adapt to climate change through appropriate technology transfer and other forms of assistance, including resettling and rehousing displaced populations where required.

Relevant policies

Almost all Greens policies relate to the management of the Climate Emergency, especially:

Air Quality, Agriculture and Rural Land Use, Biodiversity, Bushfire Risk Management, Coal and Gas, Coastal Management, Energy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Forests, Housing and Homelessness, Industry, Planning and Infrastructure, Regional Development, Transport, and Waste Elimination.

Views expressed in this post are those of its author(s), not necessarily all Vote Climate One members.

Heather Foord

Rob Bakes on March 5, 2023

All Greens candidates for the NSW state election have been assessed by Vote Climate One as Green Light Candidates because of their strong policy and action on climate.

Profile

CLIMATE CHANGE

Principles

The Greens NSW believe that:

1.    Humans have radically altered Earth’s biophysical environment; this degradation poses the greatest threat to our planet’s climate system. A meaningful shift by communities, governments and corporations to a more harmonious and symbiotic relationship with Earth’s living systems is urgently required.

2.    Climate change threatens all aspects of life. It is already disrupting human societies through changing weather patterns, extreme weather events, desertification and sea level rise. It threatens food security, water, the economy, social cohesion and the well-being of humans and other living things. Impacts will escalate, putting increased pressure on natural resources and consequent impacts on our ability to satisfy basic human needs. These impacts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in our society.

3.    There is an urgent need to both reduce emissions to limit the severity of climate change and to proactively plan for a more hostile climate.

4.    The scientific evidence is unequivocal. Average world temperatures continue to rise at an unprecedented rate. This is mainly due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and methane), black carbon in the lower atmosphere and deforestation.

5.    The economic, social and environmental consequences of delaying action are so dangerous that an emergency plan with appropriate investment must be implemented to drastically reduce emissions by 2025 and reach zero or negative net emissions by 2035.

6.    NSW is a wealthy state, ideally placed to take a lead in addressing climate change. There is no excuse for NSW continuing to have high per capita emissions compared to other jurisdictions and being a large contributor to Australian emissions.

7.    NSW should recognise that climate change presents threats of serious and irreversible damage and should take appropriate action, in accordance with the precautionary principle, to mitigate and respond to such threats.

8.    Climate change is an environmental, economic, moral and ethical issue. Future human generations, and other species, must not be burdened with the dire consequences of this generation’s inaction in preventing climate change.

9.    Climate change necessitates a transition away from an economy reliant on unsustainable consumption.  We need to plan and enact a transition to a more sustainable and equitable society as a matter of urgency.

10.    NSW is ideally placed to address climate change and to contribute solutions in many areas, particularly given our ability to innovate and our research capabilities, and these efforts must be supported as a priority.

11.    Short lived climate pollutants (including methane, nitrous oxides, sulphur oxides, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon) have an enormous short-term impact on global warming. Drastically reducing emissions of these pollutants will have a rapid impact in the transition to a safe climate.

12.    To help ensure appropriate mitigation strategies for both CO2 and short-lived climate pollutants, emissions inventories should show climate impacts over 20 years (the critical period if we are to keep global warming well below 2 degrees) as well as 100 years. Consistent with the precautionary principle, all substances that cause warming (such as black carbon and carbon monoxide) should be considered, even those for which precise Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) are not yet available.

13.    Mining, export and domestic use of fossil fuels contribute to climate change and must be phased out as a matter of urgency. All fossil fuel subsidies should be abolished. 

14.    NSW has the capacity to ensure that our energy supply and land transport needs can be provided by renewable energy.

15.    Agriculture and the production of foods and fibre contribute to climate change. They must both adapt to the impacts of climate change and adopt more sustainable practices to reduce emissions.

16.    While the first priority is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, environmentally appropriate methods to draw down these gases can also contribute to achieving long term goals.

17.    Thousands of new jobs, particularly in rural and regional areas, can be created by prioritising investment in low carbon technologies. Similarly, thousands of jobs can be created in adapting urban and regional centres to meet the challenges of climate change.

18.    The costs and benefits of transitioning to net zero global warming must be fairly distributed across society, minimising the adverse impacts on communities that are at the leading edge of change and on those who are most disadvantaged.

19.    Logging and burning wood from forests is not climate neutral and often increases global warming.

Aims

The Greens NSW will work towards:

20.    NSW contributing its fair share of resources and actions to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C and as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in keeping with Australia’s ratification of the Paris Agreement.

21.    Incentives for individuals and industries (including agriculture) provided by Government to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, e.g. planting trees, kelp forests, investigating biomass storage and other methods to return to 350 ppm CO2.

22.    Building support in the community for urgent action to achieve a safe climate.

23.    Developing a strategy to effect an equitable transition to a sustainable net zero economy through a range of measures including market and regulatory, including a price on emissions with the proceeds used to compensate low income individuals.

24.    Supporting the transition strategy with a well-funded, comprehensive, integrated and research-based emissions reduction plan with appropriate targets and reporting for all sectors with significant greenhouse emissions.

25.    Achieving 100% clean renewable electrical energy in NSW by 2030, or earlier.

26.    Achieving sufficient renewable electricity capacity to power all heating and land transport, including passenger and freight rail, either by direct use of renewable electricity or, in future, by indirect use, e.g. via electrolysis to produce ‘green’ hydrogen and ammonia.

27.    Implementing emissions reductions and local adaptation strategies in conjunction with other governments, national, state and local, and in consultation with local communities.

28.    Implementing emissions reduction strategies as outlined in the relevant Greens NSW policies of Energy, Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Coal and Coal Seam Gas, Forestry (in development), Coastal Management and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Land Use and Waste (see links at the end of this document).

29.    Introducing a ban on donations to political parties or candidates from any person or corporation with a commercial interest in any aspect of the fossil fuel industry including mining, transport, electricity generation or distribution.

30.    Ensuring that impacts and opportunities are spread as fairly as possible across society with assistance to those at the leading edge of change and those who are most disadvantaged.

31.    Funding research into the local impacts of climate change and methods to minimise their impact.

32.    Proactive assistance to other nations, particularly in our region, to create safe climate economies, and adapt to climate change through appropriate technology transfer and other forms of assistance, including resettling and rehousing displaced populations where required.

Relevant policies

Almost all Greens policies relate to the management of the Climate Emergency, especially:

Air Quality, Agriculture and Rural Land Use, Biodiversity, Bushfire Risk Management, Coal and Gas, Coastal Management, Energy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Forests, Housing and Homelessness, Industry, Planning and Infrastructure, Regional Development, Transport, and Waste Elimination.

Views expressed in this post are those of its author(s), not necessarily all Vote Climate One members.

Alex Greenwich

Rob Bakes on March 3, 2023

Alex has stood up for action on the climate catastrophe during his last term in the lower house and well deserves his green light ranking.

Alex’s website

I refer to your work to make climate the focus of the 2023 State Election and share your hope that climate and environment are key factors in how people vote and the next parliament.

My responses to your questions are below.

1)    Do you endorse NSW declaring an ecological and climate emergency?

Yes.

Climate change is the biggest challenge facing humanity and we will have no future if we do not act urgently to transition every aspect of society to net zero, and preserve remaining carbon sinks and biodiversity.

2)    Do you support the principle of aiming for zero emissions by 2030?

Yes.

Achieving net zero emissions by 2030 will be difficult, but with the political will it is possible. The Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap set a plan to transition energy supply to renewable energy by 2042 in response to my inquiry into energy supply and resources. With investment in renewable energy picking up pace, we can bring this forward to 2030. Transition of energy supply provides opportunities to also transition the transport sector and withdraw from gas supply. Energy efficiency, smaller renewable projects and an end to land clearing will help us get to net zero. My inquiry into food supply identified significant greenhouse gas savings from reducing food waste and made recommendations to achieve this.

3)    Do you oppose exploring for or commissioning new gas or coal mining projects?

Yes.

Gas and coal are fossil fuels are key drivers of climate change. Significant emissions are produced regardless of where the gas or coal is sent to be burnt. A global phase-out of gas and coal is needed and now is not the time to establish new gas and coal mining projects. Furthermore, approving new projects will only further entrench the economies reliant on coal and gas, making transition more difficult.

4)    Do you oppose the logging and wood chipping of NSW native State forests?  

Yes.

The destruction of the state’s public native forests for low value woodchip is a disgrace, with vital habitat for endangered species and carbon sinks diminishing at a time when we need them most because of climate change, and extreme bushfires. I have called for an end to public native forest logging and for a plan to transition the forestry industry to plantations. The forestry industry is heavily subsidised and there are multiple reports showing economic and environmental benefits from transitioning the industry including for forestry workers and communities. I am committed to continuing this push.

5)    Do you support rapid transition action that prioritises social justice within the most cost effective framework our society can muster? 

Yes.

The transition to zero emissions must not leave anyone behind or create further hardship for our most vulnerable. I have called for government assistance to make social housing properties efficient with solar panels where possible and gas decommissions, and for assistance for renters to connect to renewable energy. I have also pushed for a transition authority to help coal and gas dependent communities diversify their economies in the move away from fossil fuels.

6)    Would you support the rescinding of recent NSW legislation which undermines the right to protest? 

Yes.

Peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy and in parliament I opposed the laws that were used to imprison Deanna Coco. No one should be jailed for calling for action on climate change or causing an inconvenience.

Views expressed in this post are those of its author(s), not necessarily all Vote Climate One members.

Kym CHAPPLE

Rob Bakes on March 3, 2023

All Greens candidates for the NSW state election have been assessed by Vote Climate One as Green Light Candidates because of their strong policy and action on climate.

MBR58777-Edit.jpg
Profile

CLIMATE CHANGE

Principles

The Greens NSW believe that:

1.    Humans have radically altered Earth’s biophysical environment; this degradation poses the greatest threat to our planet’s climate system. A meaningful shift by communities, governments and corporations to a more harmonious and symbiotic relationship with Earth’s living systems is urgently required.

2.    Climate change threatens all aspects of life. It is already disrupting human societies through changing weather patterns, extreme weather events, desertification and sea level rise. It threatens food security, water, the economy, social cohesion and the well-being of humans and other living things. Impacts will escalate, putting increased pressure on natural resources and consequent impacts on our ability to satisfy basic human needs. These impacts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in our society.

3.    There is an urgent need to both reduce emissions to limit the severity of climate change and to proactively plan for a more hostile climate.

4.    The scientific evidence is unequivocal. Average world temperatures continue to rise at an unprecedented rate. This is mainly due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and methane), black carbon in the lower atmosphere and deforestation.

5.    The economic, social and environmental consequences of delaying action are so dangerous that an emergency plan with appropriate investment must be implemented to drastically reduce emissions by 2025 and reach zero or negative net emissions by 2035.

6.    NSW is a wealthy state, ideally placed to take a lead in addressing climate change. There is no excuse for NSW continuing to have high per capita emissions compared to other jurisdictions and being a large contributor to Australian emissions.

7.    NSW should recognise that climate change presents threats of serious and irreversible damage and should take appropriate action, in accordance with the precautionary principle, to mitigate and respond to such threats.

8.    Climate change is an environmental, economic, moral and ethical issue. Future human generations, and other species, must not be burdened with the dire consequences of this generation’s inaction in preventing climate change.

9.    Climate change necessitates a transition away from an economy reliant on unsustainable consumption.  We need to plan and enact a transition to a more sustainable and equitable society as a matter of urgency.

10.    NSW is ideally placed to address climate change and to contribute solutions in many areas, particularly given our ability to innovate and our research capabilities, and these efforts must be supported as a priority.

11.    Short lived climate pollutants (including methane, nitrous oxides, sulphur oxides, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon) have an enormous short-term impact on global warming. Drastically reducing emissions of these pollutants will have a rapid impact in the transition to a safe climate.

12.    To help ensure appropriate mitigation strategies for both CO2 and short-lived climate pollutants, emissions inventories should show climate impacts over 20 years (the critical period if we are to keep global warming well below 2 degrees) as well as 100 years. Consistent with the precautionary principle, all substances that cause warming (such as black carbon and carbon monoxide) should be considered, even those for which precise Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) are not yet available.

13.    Mining, export and domestic use of fossil fuels contribute to climate change and must be phased out as a matter of urgency. All fossil fuel subsidies should be abolished. 

14.    NSW has the capacity to ensure that our energy supply and land transport needs can be provided by renewable energy.

15.    Agriculture and the production of foods and fibre contribute to climate change. They must both adapt to the impacts of climate change and adopt more sustainable practices to reduce emissions.

16.    While the first priority is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, environmentally appropriate methods to draw down these gases can also contribute to achieving long term goals.

17.    Thousands of new jobs, particularly in rural and regional areas, can be created by prioritising investment in low carbon technologies. Similarly, thousands of jobs can be created in adapting urban and regional centres to meet the challenges of climate change.

18.    The costs and benefits of transitioning to net zero global warming must be fairly distributed across society, minimising the adverse impacts on communities that are at the leading edge of change and on those who are most disadvantaged.

19.    Logging and burning wood from forests is not climate neutral and often increases global warming.

Aims

The Greens NSW will work towards:

20.    NSW contributing its fair share of resources and actions to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C and as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in keeping with Australia’s ratification of the Paris Agreement.

21.    Incentives for individuals and industries (including agriculture) provided by Government to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, e.g. planting trees, kelp forests, investigating biomass storage and other methods to return to 350 ppm CO2.

22.    Building support in the community for urgent action to achieve a safe climate.

23.    Developing a strategy to effect an equitable transition to a sustainable net zero economy through a range of measures including market and regulatory, including a price on emissions with the proceeds used to compensate low income individuals.

24.    Supporting the transition strategy with a well-funded, comprehensive, integrated and research-based emissions reduction plan with appropriate targets and reporting for all sectors with significant greenhouse emissions.

25.    Achieving 100% clean renewable electrical energy in NSW by 2030, or earlier.

26.    Achieving sufficient renewable electricity capacity to power all heating and land transport, including passenger and freight rail, either by direct use of renewable electricity or, in future, by indirect use, e.g. via electrolysis to produce ‘green’ hydrogen and ammonia.

27.    Implementing emissions reductions and local adaptation strategies in conjunction with other governments, national, state and local, and in consultation with local communities.

28.    Implementing emissions reduction strategies as outlined in the relevant Greens NSW policies of Energy, Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Coal and Coal Seam Gas, Forestry (in development), Coastal Management and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Land Use and Waste (see links at the end of this document).

29.    Introducing a ban on donations to political parties or candidates from any person or corporation with a commercial interest in any aspect of the fossil fuel industry including mining, transport, electricity generation or distribution.

30.    Ensuring that impacts and opportunities are spread as fairly as possible across society with assistance to those at the leading edge of change and those who are most disadvantaged.

31.    Funding research into the local impacts of climate change and methods to minimise their impact.

32.    Proactive assistance to other nations, particularly in our region, to create safe climate economies, and adapt to climate change through appropriate technology transfer and other forms of assistance, including resettling and rehousing displaced populations where required.

Relevant policies

Almost all Greens policies relate to the management of the Climate Emergency, especially:

Air Quality, Agriculture and Rural Land Use, Biodiversity, Bushfire Risk Management, Coal and Gas, Coastal Management, Energy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Forests, Housing and Homelessness, Industry, Planning and Infrastructure, Regional Development, Transport, and Waste Elimination.

https://greens.org.au/nsw/person/kym-chapple
Views expressed in this post are those of its author(s), not necessarily all Vote Climate One members.

Tim Nott

Rob Bakes on February 26, 2023

All Greens candidates for the NSW state election have been assessed by Vote Climate One as Green Light Candidates because of their strong policy and action on climate.

Profile

CLIMATE CHANGE

Principles

The Greens NSW believe that:

1.    Humans have radically altered Earth’s biophysical environment; this degradation poses the greatest threat to our planet’s climate system. A meaningful shift by communities, governments and corporations to a more harmonious and symbiotic relationship with Earth’s living systems is urgently required.

2.    Climate change threatens all aspects of life. It is already disrupting human societies through changing weather patterns, extreme weather events, desertification and sea level rise. It threatens food security, water, the economy, social cohesion and the well-being of humans and other living things. Impacts will escalate, putting increased pressure on natural resources and consequent impacts on our ability to satisfy basic human needs. These impacts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in our society.

3.    There is an urgent need to both reduce emissions to limit the severity of climate change and to proactively plan for a more hostile climate.

4.    The scientific evidence is unequivocal. Average world temperatures continue to rise at an unprecedented rate. This is mainly due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and methane), black carbon in the lower atmosphere and deforestation.

5.    The economic, social and environmental consequences of delaying action are so dangerous that an emergency plan with appropriate investment must be implemented to drastically reduce emissions by 2025 and reach zero or negative net emissions by 2035.

6.    NSW is a wealthy state, ideally placed to take a lead in addressing climate change. There is no excuse for NSW continuing to have high per capita emissions compared to other jurisdictions and being a large contributor to Australian emissions.

7.    NSW should recognise that climate change presents threats of serious and irreversible damage and should take appropriate action, in accordance with the precautionary principle, to mitigate and respond to such threats.

8.    Climate change is an environmental, economic, moral and ethical issue. Future human generations, and other species, must not be burdened with the dire consequences of this generation’s inaction in preventing climate change.

9.    Climate change necessitates a transition away from an economy reliant on unsustainable consumption.  We need to plan and enact a transition to a more sustainable and equitable society as a matter of urgency.

10.    NSW is ideally placed to address climate change and to contribute solutions in many areas, particularly given our ability to innovate and our research capabilities, and these efforts must be supported as a priority.

11.    Short lived climate pollutants (including methane, nitrous oxides, sulphur oxides, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon) have an enormous short-term impact on global warming. Drastically reducing emissions of these pollutants will have a rapid impact in the transition to a safe climate.

12.    To help ensure appropriate mitigation strategies for both CO2 and short-lived climate pollutants, emissions inventories should show climate impacts over 20 years (the critical period if we are to keep global warming well below 2 degrees) as well as 100 years. Consistent with the precautionary principle, all substances that cause warming (such as black carbon and carbon monoxide) should be considered, even those for which precise Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) are not yet available.

13.    Mining, export and domestic use of fossil fuels contribute to climate change and must be phased out as a matter of urgency. All fossil fuel subsidies should be abolished. 

14.    NSW has the capacity to ensure that our energy supply and land transport needs can be provided by renewable energy.

15.    Agriculture and the production of foods and fibre contribute to climate change. They must both adapt to the impacts of climate change and adopt more sustainable practices to reduce emissions.

16.    While the first priority is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, environmentally appropriate methods to draw down these gases can also contribute to achieving long term goals.

17.    Thousands of new jobs, particularly in rural and regional areas, can be created by prioritising investment in low carbon technologies. Similarly, thousands of jobs can be created in adapting urban and regional centres to meet the challenges of climate change.

18.    The costs and benefits of transitioning to net zero global warming must be fairly distributed across society, minimising the adverse impacts on communities that are at the leading edge of change and on those who are most disadvantaged.

19.    Logging and burning wood from forests is not climate neutral and often increases global warming.

Aims

The Greens NSW will work towards:

20.    NSW contributing its fair share of resources and actions to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C and as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in keeping with Australia’s ratification of the Paris Agreement.

21.    Incentives for individuals and industries (including agriculture) provided by Government to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, e.g. planting trees, kelp forests, investigating biomass storage and other methods to return to 350 ppm CO2.

22.    Building support in the community for urgent action to achieve a safe climate.

23.    Developing a strategy to effect an equitable transition to a sustainable net zero economy through a range of measures including market and regulatory, including a price on emissions with the proceeds used to compensate low income individuals.

24.    Supporting the transition strategy with a well-funded, comprehensive, integrated and research-based emissions reduction plan with appropriate targets and reporting for all sectors with significant greenhouse emissions.

25.    Achieving 100% clean renewable electrical energy in NSW by 2030, or earlier.

26.    Achieving sufficient renewable electricity capacity to power all heating and land transport, including passenger and freight rail, either by direct use of renewable electricity or, in future, by indirect use, e.g. via electrolysis to produce ‘green’ hydrogen and ammonia.

27.    Implementing emissions reductions and local adaptation strategies in conjunction with other governments, national, state and local, and in consultation with local communities.

28.    Implementing emissions reduction strategies as outlined in the relevant Greens NSW policies of Energy, Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Coal and Coal Seam Gas, Forestry (in development), Coastal Management and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Land Use and Waste (see links at the end of this document).

29.    Introducing a ban on donations to political parties or candidates from any person or corporation with a commercial interest in any aspect of the fossil fuel industry including mining, transport, electricity generation or distribution.

30.    Ensuring that impacts and opportunities are spread as fairly as possible across society with assistance to those at the leading edge of change and those who are most disadvantaged.

31.    Funding research into the local impacts of climate change and methods to minimise their impact.

32.    Proactive assistance to other nations, particularly in our region, to create safe climate economies, and adapt to climate change through appropriate technology transfer and other forms of assistance, including resettling and rehousing displaced populations where required.

Relevant policies

Almost all Greens policies relate to the management of the Climate Emergency, especially:

Air Quality, Agriculture and Rural Land Use, Biodiversity, Bushfire Risk Management, Coal and Gas, Coastal Management, Energy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Forests, Housing and Homelessness, Industry, Planning and Infrastructure, Regional Development, Transport, and Waste Elimination.

Views expressed in this post are those of its author(s), not necessarily all Vote Climate One members.

Niko Leka

Rob Bakes on February 24, 2023

Profile

Real climate action

  • A planned shift to 100% renewable energy within 5-10 years via public investment and emission reduction targets
  • Bring the power industries under public ownership and democratic control
  • Phase out fossil fuels: no new coal or gas projects, including Adani; ban fracking and unconventional gas mining
  • Guaranteed jobs with no loss in pay for workers in fossil fuel industries
  • End all fossil fuels subsidies
  • Asylum for climate refugees and those displaced by climate change
  • Ban the logging of old-growth forests
  • Begin an urgent program of reforestation, sustainable farming and biodiversity protection
  • Employ Indigenous rangers to lead the urgent program of reforestation, cultural burning, biodiversity protection and sustainable farming projects
  • Enforce the rehabilitation of mine sites by companies
  • Institute a national heat health strategy
  • No nuclear energy, no nuclear weapons and no uranium mining

For a safe climate, affordable energy

  • Put energy back into public hands
  • Boost investment for 100% renewable energy by 2030
  • Phase out fossil fuels: halt Whitehaven Coal and other coal mine expansions
  • Ban unconventional gas exploration and fracking for coal seam gas
  • No to coal seam gas: halt Santos’ coal seam gas project in the Narrabri
  • No coal mining in the Sydney-Illawarra water catchment area
  • Oppose the plan to raise the Warragamba Dam wall
  • No building on flood plains and retreat from flood-prone land: NSW to acquire the land for open space
  • End subsidies and tax breaks to fossil fuel corporations
  • Guarantee new, well-paid jobs for workers transitioning from the fossil fuel industries
  • Make Kurri Kurri and the Hunter Valley a manufacturing hub for renewable energy
Views expressed in this post are those of its author(s), not necessarily all Vote Climate One members.

David Mallard

Rob Bakes on February 24, 2023

All Greens candidates for the NSW state election have been assessed by Vote Climate One as Green Light Candidates because of their strong policy and action on climate.

Profile

CLIMATE CHANGE

Principles

The Greens NSW believe that:

1.    Humans have radically altered Earth’s biophysical environment; this degradation poses the greatest threat to our planet’s climate system. A meaningful shift by communities, governments and corporations to a more harmonious and symbiotic relationship with Earth’s living systems is urgently required.

2.    Climate change threatens all aspects of life. It is already disrupting human societies through changing weather patterns, extreme weather events, desertification and sea level rise. It threatens food security, water, the economy, social cohesion and the well-being of humans and other living things. Impacts will escalate, putting increased pressure on natural resources and consequent impacts on our ability to satisfy basic human needs. These impacts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in our society.

3.    There is an urgent need to both reduce emissions to limit the severity of climate change and to proactively plan for a more hostile climate.

4.    The scientific evidence is unequivocal. Average world temperatures continue to rise at an unprecedented rate. This is mainly due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and methane), black carbon in the lower atmosphere and deforestation.

5.    The economic, social and environmental consequences of delaying action are so dangerous that an emergency plan with appropriate investment must be implemented to drastically reduce emissions by 2025 and reach zero or negative net emissions by 2035.

6.    NSW is a wealthy state, ideally placed to take a lead in addressing climate change. There is no excuse for NSW continuing to have high per capita emissions compared to other jurisdictions and being a large contributor to Australian emissions.

7.    NSW should recognise that climate change presents threats of serious and irreversible damage and should take appropriate action, in accordance with the precautionary principle, to mitigate and respond to such threats.

8.    Climate change is an environmental, economic, moral and ethical issue. Future human generations, and other species, must not be burdened with the dire consequences of this generation’s inaction in preventing climate change.

9.    Climate change necessitates a transition away from an economy reliant on unsustainable consumption.  We need to plan and enact a transition to a more sustainable and equitable society as a matter of urgency.

10.    NSW is ideally placed to address climate change and to contribute solutions in many areas, particularly given our ability to innovate and our research capabilities, and these efforts must be supported as a priority.

11.    Short lived climate pollutants (including methane, nitrous oxides, sulphur oxides, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon) have an enormous short-term impact on global warming. Drastically reducing emissions of these pollutants will have a rapid impact in the transition to a safe climate.

12.    To help ensure appropriate mitigation strategies for both CO2 and short-lived climate pollutants, emissions inventories should show climate impacts over 20 years (the critical period if we are to keep global warming well below 2 degrees) as well as 100 years. Consistent with the precautionary principle, all substances that cause warming (such as black carbon and carbon monoxide) should be considered, even those for which precise Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) are not yet available.

13.    Mining, export and domestic use of fossil fuels contribute to climate change and must be phased out as a matter of urgency. All fossil fuel subsidies should be abolished. 

14.    NSW has the capacity to ensure that our energy supply and land transport needs can be provided by renewable energy.

15.    Agriculture and the production of foods and fibre contribute to climate change. They must both adapt to the impacts of climate change and adopt more sustainable practices to reduce emissions.

16.    While the first priority is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, environmentally appropriate methods to draw down these gases can also contribute to achieving long term goals.

17.    Thousands of new jobs, particularly in rural and regional areas, can be created by prioritising investment in low carbon technologies. Similarly, thousands of jobs can be created in adapting urban and regional centres to meet the challenges of climate change.

18.    The costs and benefits of transitioning to net zero global warming must be fairly distributed across society, minimising the adverse impacts on communities that are at the leading edge of change and on those who are most disadvantaged.

19.    Logging and burning wood from forests is not climate neutral and often increases global warming.

Aims

The Greens NSW will work towards:

20.    NSW contributing its fair share of resources and actions to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C and as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in keeping with Australia’s ratification of the Paris Agreement.

21.    Incentives for individuals and industries (including agriculture) provided by Government to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, e.g. planting trees, kelp forests, investigating biomass storage and other methods to return to 350 ppm CO2.

22.    Building support in the community for urgent action to achieve a safe climate.

23.    Developing a strategy to effect an equitable transition to a sustainable net zero economy through a range of measures including market and regulatory, including a price on emissions with the proceeds used to compensate low income individuals.

24.    Supporting the transition strategy with a well-funded, comprehensive, integrated and research-based emissions reduction plan with appropriate targets and reporting for all sectors with significant greenhouse emissions.

25.    Achieving 100% clean renewable electrical energy in NSW by 2030, or earlier.

26.    Achieving sufficient renewable electricity capacity to power all heating and land transport, including passenger and freight rail, either by direct use of renewable electricity or, in future, by indirect use, e.g. via electrolysis to produce ‘green’ hydrogen and ammonia.

27.    Implementing emissions reductions and local adaptation strategies in conjunction with other governments, national, state and local, and in consultation with local communities.

28.    Implementing emissions reduction strategies as outlined in the relevant Greens NSW policies of Energy, Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Coal and Coal Seam Gas, Forestry (in development), Coastal Management and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Land Use and Waste (see links at the end of this document).

29.    Introducing a ban on donations to political parties or candidates from any person or corporation with a commercial interest in any aspect of the fossil fuel industry including mining, transport, electricity generation or distribution.

30.    Ensuring that impacts and opportunities are spread as fairly as possible across society with assistance to those at the leading edge of change and those who are most disadvantaged.

31.    Funding research into the local impacts of climate change and methods to minimise their impact.

32.    Proactive assistance to other nations, particularly in our region, to create safe climate economies, and adapt to climate change through appropriate technology transfer and other forms of assistance, including resettling and rehousing displaced populations where required.

Relevant policies

Almost all Greens policies relate to the management of the Climate Emergency, especially:

Air Quality, Agriculture and Rural Land Use, Biodiversity, Bushfire Risk Management, Coal and Gas, Coastal Management, Energy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Forests, Housing and Homelessness, Industry, Planning and Infrastructure, Regional Development, Transport, and Waste Elimination.

Views expressed in this post are those of its author(s), not necessarily all Vote Climate One members.